First deer with an airgun.

[Jheikkila]

I was able to harvest a spike buck last weekend using a piledriver .50 cal. It was a 15 yard shot and the deer ran about 20 yards. Shot through the lungs and the top of the heart. Not a giant buck, but happy to break the ice on the first season ever of WI airgun big game hunting.
The non exit is seen in the photo. Was using a lighter slug, 250gr. Of the slugs I had on hand they grouped the best. I was able to retrieve the slug just under the skin on the far side. Went through ribs, vitals and one shoulder before stopping just under the skin.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Jheikkila Man that is a big spike. Put’s our little deer to shame. Congratulations!! I hope you eat many good meals off of your harvest.

 

[Cranky1]

@Jheikkila Man that is a big spike. Put’s our little deer to shame. Congratulations!! I hope you eat many good meals off of your harvest.

I remember being in parts of Arkansas and Florid, I think my dog is as big as their doe. It’s crazy how much it varies buy just a few 100 miles. I’m an ironworker worker so I work with guys all over the us sometimes internationally. It’s fun sharing pictures and talking hunting. Apparently guys want to lease my little spot to deer hunt( I just setup for my mom and dad) they are meat hunters. He came through this morning, I usually hold a dozen doe and some small bucks year round.

 

[Cranky1]

I was able to harvest a spike buck last weekend using a piledriver .50 cal. It was a 15 yard shot and the deer ran about 20 yards. Shot through the lungs and the top of the heart. Not a giant buck, but happy to break the ice on the first season ever of WI airgun big game hunting.
The non exit is seen in the photo. Was using a lighter slug, 250gr. Of the slugs I had on hand they grouped the best. I was able to retrieve the slug just under the skin on the far side. Went through ribs, vitals and one shoulder before stopping just under the skin.

View attachment 516600

That is good eating, way better than an old buck. Back when I used to hunt we rarely had our processed, unless we didn’t have time. I took 110 lbs of deboned meat from good fatty doe and received old buck back. It was awful, smelled strong, tasted strong, just disappointed. It was the last one, we went back to doing our own. So if you have it done try and pick a good processor.

 

[Jheikkila]

That is good eating, way better than an old buck. Back when I used to hunt we rarely had our processed, unless we didn’t have time. I took 110 lbs of deboned meat from good fatty doe and received old buck back. It was awful, smelled strong, tasted strong, just disappointed. It was the last one, we went back to doing our own. So if you have it done try and pick a good processor.

We do it all ourselves, loins and back straps for steaks, ankles for roasts, and the rest is burger.
15% beef tallow from the local butcher to add some moisture.

 

[Cranky1]

We do it all ourselves, loins and back straps for steaks, ankles for roasts, and the rest is burger.
15% beef tallow from the local butcher to add some moisture.

We used bacon ends or really cheap fatty burger to add in on the burger. Now I’m wanting some pan fried back strap….

 

[Rygar]

Nice buck! Took a 160# doe with my fx .25 37gr. at 47 yards. Head shot; dropped like a rock. 19 degrees…Wisconsin.

 

[houston]

Awesome hunt !!

Thanks for sharing

 

[Bandito]

Congratulations guys. I haven't picked up a legal caliber air rifle for whitetail in the state of misery. It requires .40 caliber or larger. But I was thinking Zeus .75 cal. Be Well Brothers, B.

 

[kayaker]

Jheikkial, Congrats on your buck ! That should be fine eating

 

[kayaker]

Nice buck! Took a 160# doe with my fx .25 37gr. at 47 yards. Head shot; dropped like a rock. 19 degrees…Wisconsin.

Got any pictures ?

 

[ChuckHunter]

I was able to harvest a spike buck last weekend using a piledriver .50 cal. It was a 15 yard shot and the deer ran about 20 yards. Shot through the lungs and the top of the heart. Not a giant buck, but happy to break the ice on the first season ever of WI airgun big game hunting.
The non exit is seen in the photo. Was using a lighter slug, 250gr. Of the slugs I had on hand they grouped the best. I was able to retrieve the slug just under the skin on the far side. Went through ribs, vitals and one shoulder before stopping just under the skin.

View attachment 516600

Very good! Load that freezer.
There's nothing like taking big game with an air rifle! So gratifying and most people say what with a pellet gun? Lol

 

[ChuckHunter]

Nice buck! Took a 160# doe with my fx .25 37gr. at 47 yards. Head shot; dropped like a rock. 19 degrees…Wisconsin.

That's wild you guys don't have a caliber restriction! Here in Michigan it's .35 cal minimum.

 

[Rygar]

That's wild you guys don't have a caliber restriction! Here in Michigan it's .35 cal minimum.

Well, looks like .25 is enough!

 

[Rygar]

Got any pictures ?

No, it’s just a doe. I don’t take pictures of does just big bucks “ I can take a picture of the head if you want? I used Zan .25 and the lead is softer than say NSA….just right. It penetrates and expands in the brain. No exit hole. Dead instantly.

 

[redsqnm]

I was able to harvest a spike buck last weekend using a piledriver .50 cal. It was a 15 yard shot and the deer ran about 20 yards. Shot through the lungs and the top of the heart. Not a giant buck, but happy to break the ice on the first season ever of WI airgun big game hunting.
The non exit is seen in the photo. Was using a lighter slug, 250gr. Of the slugs I had on hand they grouped the best. I was able to retrieve the slug just under the skin on the far side. Went through ribs, vitals and one shoulder before stopping just under the skin.

View attachment 516600

Congratulations. There is nothing more rewarding than taking a deer with an air rifle !

 

[Bhuntin]

Congratulations. There is nothing more rewarding than taking a deer with an air rifle !

Congrats guys I’ve taken a several does ,bucks ,and a hog with Texan .457 with 350 boat tail hollow points all full pass thru this year I’ve used a xp .45 ranger I picked up used built like a tank used a 300 mr.hollow point dropped doe after about 20 yard run 110 yard shot but zero blood trail and not pass thru would like some blood trail but results were there

 

[Ricklin]

It's late Muzzleloader deer / elk here in Western Wa. now. I'll be out chasing the critters tomorrow. I'm retired and hunt public lands, weekdays are always better.

 

[kayaker]

It's late Muzzleloader deer / elk here in Western Wa. now. I'll be out chasing the critters tomorrow. I'm retired and hunt public lands, weekdays are always better.

Best of luck with your smoke pole, plenty of fog this coming week that just might keep them in the clear cuts longer.

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

Congratulations guys. I haven't picked up a legal caliber air rifle for whitetail in the state of misery. It requires .40 caliber or larger. But I was thinking Zeus .75 cal. Be Well Brothers, B.

I think it's stupid they bumped it from 30 cal to 40 cal only a year after they started allowing air guns for deer.

I would've loved to drop a doe with the 357 I built. Plenty of power for it too.