The official Deer Hunting thread.

[A//// Guy]

40 acres does get really small in a hurry. If more than just you guys are out there, I wouldnt go either. I hunt in WI on my parents neighbors land and he has 40 acres.

I agree with what Swanny said.

Ive used the DNR maps quite a bit, and WMA land is nice! I just havent explored any of it yet, and I wonder how crowded it can be. Im pretty leery of public land near the cities.

[JET]

We hunted on Gordie Mikkelson last year, that is over 800 acres and there were a max of 8 other guys on it, so 10 total. That is why I checked in with the land owner that lives right there, I wanted to make sure there weren't more than 2 other people hunting there. Lots of woods around, so it could support 4 no problem.

Why would you need a round bigger than .243 for deer? You are just going to blow all the energy out the back side and waste it anyway. I guess if you miss a vital shot and need a good blood trail is the major reason I can think of. Get a good round that has rapid expansion and the smaller rounds will do major damage. With the newer bullets out 250 yards seems to be general consesus for .223, some say as low as 200. On forums where guys have been using .223 for a long time there are lots of guys that have taken deer at 400+ and just dropped them. Where my stand will be I dont' think I will have a shot over 200, so I should be good.

I am toying with getting a new gun that is a bit bigger. I have always wanted a 30-06 or 7mm Mag, but that is way overkill on deer. I am a sucker for a really flat shooting round and would love a .257 Weatherby Mag, but they are $$$. I may end up with a 25-06 as ammo isn't bad and they are pretty popular.

I am heading to Bill's North range for final sighting in Thursday night if anyone else wants to go!

[niterydr]

We hunted on Gordie Mikkelson last year, that is over 800 acres and there were a max of 8 other guys on it, so 10 total. That is why I checked in with the land owner that lives right there, I wanted to make sure there weren't more than 2 other people hunting there. Lots of woods around, so it could support 4 no problem.

Why would you need a round bigger than .243 for deer? You are just going to blow all the energy out the back side and waste it anyway. I guess if you miss a vital shot and need a good blood trail is the major reason I can think of. Get a good round that has rapid expansion and the smaller rounds will do major damage. With the newer bullets out 250 yards seems to be general consesus for .223, some say as low as 200. On forums where guys have been using .223 for a long time there are lots of guys that have taken deer at 400+ and just dropped them. Where my stand will be I dont' think I will have a shot over 200, so I should be good.

I am toying with getting a new gun that is a bit bigger. I have always wanted a 30-06 or 7mm Mag, but that is way overkill on deer. I am a sucker for a really flat shooting round and would love a .257 Weatherby Mag, but they are $$$. I may end up with a 25-06 as ammo isn't bad and they are pretty popular.

I am heading to Bill's North range for final sighting in Thursday night if anyone else wants to go!

Good points Justin. I am a big advocate of DRT (dead right there) shots. My weapon is a 30-30 and I shoot 150 grain softpoint win. rounds by Federal Ammunition. I've shot smaller caliber weapons but never hunted with them, just read stories about having to follow blood trails and put a few rounds in deer if the shot isn't perfect.

I'd rather waste a bit of shoulder meat and make a kill shot that penetrates everything and drops them there. I've always thought of the .223 as good military rounds (maybe because that's all I've fired out of those type of guns), great accuracy at range and great for piercing stuff, but don't open up enough to cause damage in medium/big game? Who knows again never hunted with it or shopped for ammo for one, I don't own an AR-15, yet.

The areas I hunt, 100 yards for an open shot is pushing it as I am in the thick swamp/woods.

FYI: MN DNR requires a .220 round or larger. So your .223 is legal and should work.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/hunting/legalcartridges.html

I'll be packing the truck Thursday as I am heading out early Friday, otherwise I'd join you. I need to get a new cocking ring for my Mosin and then I want to to go to Bills to ensure she is true before I sporterize it, but alas that is for another thread.

Good luck on the hunt and stay safe out there. I was more concerned with the land size and it being a WMA. Ryan and I were discussing hitting WMA's for meat, maybe next year, unless we both stamp out a buck early and want to go after additional freezer food.

[JET]

Well after researching good .223 deer hunting rounds the only place that carries them is the big gander mountain stores (who was out) and probably Cabelas, but I don't have one close. So I said screw it and I bought a cheaper .270. Savage axis XP with stainless barrel. It was an impulse buy, but it got pretty good reviews and I probably wouldn't lose much if I sold it. Cheap rounds and faster than a 30-06.

[A//// Guy]

30-06 is what I use and what my dad has been using for years. Never had a bullet go clean through the other side... lol .223 seems small to me, but thats just my opinion, especially 200+ yards out, thats a long ways away to get an accurate shot, unless the deer stands there for a couple minutes.

I hit bills last week just to make sure the new gun is still sighted in nicely. All is set! WOO cant wait head up tomorrow! Good luck guys!

[JET]

Yeah, good luck everyone and lets see pics of some big deer in here!! Going to set up stands tomorrow afternoon!

[A//// Guy]

I checked the weather and compared to last year it should be much much better. Last years high winds for opener sucked! Looks like 3mph NW winds for up north, perfect!

[bramagedained]

I miss deer hunting, I've not really gone since 2004 before I moved to FL/joined the military.

I sort of went last year for a weekend, but, it was also my first weekend as a free man(first week of terminal leave) and I was generally too drunk to function and my gun never left it's case.

[goodhart]

If you want a flat shooting gun use a .270 or .308, far better round than an ought six or 30-30 imo.

[JET]

Actually the 30-06 has superior ballistics to the .308, the 30-30 isn't in the same league as any of those. The 30-06 and .308 are close though and both very good rounds. I shot my .270 a bit last night and it is quite accurate. It was a combo and came with a scope, obviously it isn't that good and I am going to put something else on there before next year. Probably a mid grade 4-12 power vs the cheap 3-9 that is on there now.