Hunting Thread

[Slayerik]

Didn't see one around, so I am going to start one up.

This year is my first year of legal Whitetail deer hunting. I live in Michigan, and plan on hunting here.

I will be hunting a lot with a friend, who happens to have a fuckin' arsenal of shotguns and rifles. For me, he picked out a 12 gauge Remmington 870 with slug barrel for our farm walks. I have read that they kick like a mule with a slug barrel on them, but I guess I'll just have to take the bruises.

The 2nd week of the season, I will be headed up to the northern part of the state where rifle hunting is allowed. The only rifles I have shot are a .22 and a .30-30 . The lever action 30-30 seemed like a nice all purpose gun, and the .22 is obviously a small game weapon. Any preference on caliber for deer hunting within 100 yards? .30-06 is the most common rifle from what I'm hearing.

Anyway, I'm interested in hearing other people's plans and weapon choices.

[Trippy]

Well if I was ever to go hunting and had to buy my own gun (both extremely unlikely) I'd get something like a Remington Model 700 but that's cause I played too much Counter-Strike in my youth.

[hal]

The 30-30 and slug shotgun are woods weapons as in short range quick drop. They are good for deep woods and are safer than the 30-06 which can go quite a ways and it is possible to hit someone that you can not see. Don't hunt deer with a 22 as you will only wound them. Guns kill deer by shock so large chunks of metal are a good choice. You will probally be hunting corn rows and wood patches so short range and safer would be my recommendation. Be safe and have fun.

[Johny Cee]

Didn't see one around, so I am going to start one up.

This year is my first year of legal Whitetail deer hunting. I live in Michigan, and plan on hunting here.

I will be hunting a lot with a friend, who happens to have a fuckin' arsenal of shotguns and rifles. For me, he picked out a 12 gauge Remmington 870 with slug barrel for our farm walks. I have read that they kick like a mule with a slug barrel on them, but I guess I'll just have to take the bruises.

The 2nd week of the season, I will be headed up to the northern part of the state where rifle hunting is allowed. The only rifles I have shot are a .22 and a .30-30 . The lever action 30-30 seemed like a nice all purpose gun, and the .22 is obviously a small game weapon. Any preference on caliber for deer hunting within 100 yards? .30-06 is the most common rifle from what I'm hearing.

Anyway, I'm interested in hearing other people's plans and weapon choices.

<Insert PKing joke here>

[Bunk]

But, but, their so cute...



Hunting isn't my thing, though I won't knock people for it. I fully admit to enjoying venison, as long as I don't have to look it in the eyes first.

I enjoy fishing, and don't really feel any remorse when bonking a fish over the head, but things like deer just come in to that range of intelligence where it makes me uncomfortable about the idea of shooting one.

[lac]

[stray]

don't really feel any remorse when bonking a fish over the head

Uh, what kind of fishing are you partaking in anyways? 

[schild]

don't really feel any remorse when bonking a fish over the head

Uh, what kind of fishing are you partaking in anyways? 

This is how men fish. The real question is, what kind of pussy fishing are you doing?

Well, whatever it is, you're doing it wrong. You need to take some knuckledusters and a clubbing tool of some sort and go fight the fish in mortal combat for it to be considered REAL.

[Slayerik]

don't really feel any remorse when bonking a fish over the head

Uh, what kind of fishing are you partaking in anyways? 

This is how men fish. The real question is, what kind of pussy fishing are you doing?

Well, whatever it is, you're doing it wrong. You need to take some knuckledusters and a clubbing tool of some sort and go fight the fish in mortal combat for it to be considered REAL.

Closest I came to that, but I was cracking up reading that schildy.

[Abagadro]

Haven't hunted in years but we used a lever-action 30-30 (my fave), 30.06, and .270 for mule deer. We don't "do" the whole shotgun-slug thing here in Utah but I know it is big back east.

[schild]

Haven't hunted in years but we used a lever-action 30-30 (my fave), 30.06, and .270 for mule deer. We don't "do" the whole shotgun-slug thing here in Utah but I know it is big back east.

Here in texas we use our fucking hands. The guns are just for show and epeen.

[SnakeCharmer]

But, but, their so cute...

But they taste so damn good.


Anyway, to the OP:  That Rem 12 guage will knock your shoulder off.  Hold it tight against your shoulder, mind your cheek and  you'll be fine.  I generally use a scoped Rem model 70 (.270 cal) rifle, which is fine for the deer down here, which don't get as big as the ones in your neck of the woods.  The .270 has a flat trajectory, and won't blow the other side of the deer clear across the state.

If it's going to be dinner and a trophy buck, I'll aim just behind the shoulder, so as not to mess up the head structure/rack.  If it's for the om nom nom nom goodness of venison, right behind the eye is the place to hit it.

If you've not shot the gun before (or shot much period), I'd really recommend getting out and putting some rounds through it before you head out.  Hunter safety course as well.  Be sure of your target, and what's behind it - especially if you're using a rifle.

[Pennilenko]

Haven't hunted in years but we used a lever-action 30-30 (my fave), 30.06, and .270 for mule deer. We don't "do" the whole shotgun-slug thing here in Utah but I know it is big back east.

Here in texas we use our fucking hands. The guns are just for show and epeen.

Hehe you sort of sound like my uncle who lives in middle of nowhere texas. He always said real men hunt with their hands in texas and all the guns are for shooting people.

[stray]

Haven't hunted in years but we used a lever-action 30-30 (my fave), 30.06, and .270 for mule deer. We don't "do" the whole shotgun-slug thing here in Utah but I know it is big back east.

Here in texas we use our fucking hands. The guns are just for show and epeen.

wait, wtf, you're a texan now, and i'm sissy fisherman all of the sudden? 

[Stormwaltz]

One of my coworkers has an uncle who hunts bears.

With a bow and arrow.

I'm normally against sport hunting (as opposed to hunting for actual sustenance or ecological management), but that guy I completely respect. Balls the size of church bells.

[climbjtree]

Here in texas we use our fucking hands. The guns are just for show and epeen.

Wait a sec. Didn't you just move to Texas? You can't claim it yet, especially if you don't even capitalize the name!

Edit: I also meant to say that I've always used a 30-30 for deer. Someday I intend to get into bow hunting, but it's pretty time consuming and I can't hit the broadside of a barn with a bow and I don't have the time to practice.

[Cyrrex]

Here in texas we use our fucking hands. The guns are just for show and epeen.

Wait a sec. Didn't you just move to Texas? You can't claim it yet, especially if you don't even capitalize the name!

Not to mention that the last time he shot a deer was when he played WoW in beta.

[Miguel]

In addition to the 0.270 recommendation, I'll add 22-250 to the list.  Much less kick than a 0.270, and an even flatter trajectory.  About the same size cartridge as a 0.223, but higher velocity (3500 fps with a 55 grain bullet).  I would say that if you are in the 100-200 yard range, the 0.22-250 is better, but 0.270 hits harder at longer ranges.

[schild]

Here in texas we use our fucking hands. The guns are just for show and epeen.

Wait a sec. Didn't you just move to Texas? You can't claim it yet, especially if you don't even capitalize the name!

Not to mention that the last time he shot a deer was when he played WoW in beta.

I kill a deer every thursday just to feel alive.

[Lantyssa]

Anyway, I'm interested in hearing other people's plans and weapon choices.

With the shotgun make sure you brace it properly.  I've placed the butt too low when bird hunting and that bruise is nasty.  If it's padded it will help some, though.

For whitetail, a .243 or .270 are good calibers.  I used a Model 700 .243 for ten years before we found a sweet Smith & Wesson .270 which I love to bits.  A .30-30 lever action isn't bad since it's more of a carbine.  A .30-06 is okay, but probably more gun than you need for a Michigan whitetail at 100 yards.  Your deer are so small, is funny to me.

Here in texas we use our fucking hands. The guns are just for show and epeen.

You've turned into a Texas boy right quick!  I'm so proud of ya.  (It's okay to use a knife, btw.  It's easier, but getting coated in blood makes it acceptable.)

[Slayerik]

Tell that 'Michigan Whitetail are small' to my cousin in the Upper Peninsula that took a 17 point monster many years ago. I saw it in the back on the truck, it was a moose!

We have some large deer up here...maybe not the largest but I wouldn't call them small.

Now if you were talking about bass size or something I'd have to agree....a 5 pounder up here is a lunker.

[Lantyssa]

I'm ribbing you.  Though many years Michigan does average small deer, due to a variety of factors.

We get to hunt exotics now.  So many have been imported to Texas then escaped, they're now ubiquitous in the area we hunt.  Axis and fallow make any whitetail look tiny.  Getting them back to camp is a royal pain though.  We even had to rig up a boat wench and pulley system to lift them high enough to clean.

[schild]

Lantyssa, I could go for some fresh meat. Just call me when it's being cooked.

[Slayerik]

Yeah, don't really matter anyway. Smaller the deer, better the meat :P

The ones with spots have the best meat!!!

[Nebu]

We get to hunt exotics now.  So many have been imported to Texas then escaped, they're now ubiquitous in the area we hunt. 

So you're saying that you live near Ted Nugent?

[Teleku]

I always liked the people who do smooth bore musket hunting.  Fight that bear like it's the like its Revolutionary War!

[ClydeJr]

I've shot pistols and shotguns before but never a hunting rifle. Earlier this year a friend from work invited me out to a gun range to shoot some. He was mainly there to sight in his new hunting rifle. The "sound" it made when fired was incredible. I say "sound" because you don't just hear it, you feel it. When he fired it, it felt like something hit you in the chest. I'd hate to be on the other end of that gun.

A few spots down the range, there was a father and his teenage daughter shooting some sort of assault rifle. Texas is definitely a fun place.

[Nerf]

Not to be an ass, but the term assault rifle gets thrown around incorrectly waay too much.

An assault rifle is a select-fire weapon by definition, if the father and his teenage daughter were firing anything other than a fully automatic or burst-fire weapon, it wasn't an assault rifle.
It was a semi-automatic rifle that may look similar to an assault rifle, but looks don't define an assault rifle, functionality does.

And Lantyssa, I second Schild's request for fresh meat, I think we need to have a Texas F13 get together, complete with freshly killed charred animal flesh! Yeehaw!

[squirrel]

I'll second (thirded?) the .270 recommendation. In addition to its other advantages it's cheap and easy to find (ammo that is) so you can pop quite a few off at the range without draining your pocketbook too much.

My best friend prefers 7mm Rem Magnum. It's got more power than the .207 but it kicks a lot harder, is more $$$ and at 100 - 200 yards who gives a fuck really?

I have a Ruger .270 (M77) that I love. Haven't renewed my hunting license though so just target atm.

EDIT: Fixed the bad its. It's not it's mofo it's its.

[Nazrat]

I am hunting with a Winchester 70 .270 this year.  It is very flat trajectory and easier to control than a .30-06.  However, we aren't hunting in dense woods so we sometimes need to reach out and touch someone here in Texas.  If you are in dense forests, a .30-30 or shotgun will do great. 

12 gauge shotgun is my 2nd favorite weapon in the world.  It doesn't kick that much.  You just have to know how to place it in the pocket.  If you don't, you will learn fast.  When I was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps, my favorite drill was making the boots shoot a 12 gauge with 00 buck from a squatting position.  You could separate the men from the boys pretty fast with that method. 

[Righ]

I always liked the people who do smooth bore musket hunting.  Fight that bear like it's the like its Revolutionary War!

Soapstone tomahawk or GTFO.

[Dtrain]

I always liked the people who do smooth bore musket hunting.  Fight that bear like it's the like its Revolutionary War!

Dear sir,

I am both respectful and enamored of your alternate history wherein bears participated in the Revolutionary War.

Signed,

Me

[rattran]

Going target shooting with the 12 gauge with whatever slugs would be good. Slug barrels fire differently, and aim is important if you don't want the deer to get back up. I'd suggest firing at least a box of whatever slugs you're planning to use to get used to the kick, and aim. Just remember to hold it firmly back against your shoulder, if your body takes the recoil it won't hurt, like having it loose or padded, where the firearm will kick you.

However, the last time I went deer hunting was with a Dragunov, which I think is the bestest long range rifle for hunting any large game. No kick, great consistency, and accurate to over 1000m. Nothing like dropping a deer in a herd without spooking any other. But I'll echo the .270 recommendation for shorter range rifle.

[Evildrider]

We have a family of deer that has taken up residence near/on my property recently.  Mainly because of alot of recent subdivisions going up around here.  They are just too awesome for me to shoot, although they are tasty!

[Teleku]

I hunted randomly with my Step Dad's family when I was younger.  Mainly birds, which is actually quite fun because you just sort get to blast the sky as waves and waves of them fly in, knocking them out of the sky.  We had the whole family out one time watching a pond, and it was like the sky over Baghdad when we opened up on an incoming flock.  It's good times, and you usually kill the thing right off, so no messy suffering and what not.

However, out on my Step Dads ranch, we would also hunt bore sometimes.  There was actually a pretty good population living up in the hills, and they were really god damn big (and mean), though we never got any when I was along.  Then we managed to scare up a pack and I managed to hit one right behind the shoulder with the 30 ought 6 I had.  However, it didn't kill it, and the thing laid on the ground and thrashed around grotesquely with its front end only, paralyzed from the back down (must have hit the spin or something).  All the while Screaming endlessly in this horrible scream that only pigs can do.  I then I had to walk up to the damn thing and shoot it in the face with a pistol, while it screamed at me with tear filled eyes.

I sort of lost my enjoyment for hunting after that, but I'm also sort of a pussy like that.