MDH have you given much consideration too using a muzzleloader during shotgun season? (Assuming regs allow it, some I've seen that disallow 209s during primitive weapons seasons allow a 209 during shotgun season!) I hear from alot of guys the typical, "Yeah but I want more than one shot" but that's a copout and speaks more of ones confidence in their own shooting ability than a weapons limitations. THE hottest most baddazz slug guns are doing their best too kill at 200yds, the hottest most badazz smokepoles (or smokeless in the case of the Savage) are able to kill at 300yds.

Just a suggestion,
RA

ps
I guess if I just HAD TO use a birdgun for deerhuntin then I would go too something like the 12ga Abolt slug gun from Browning.