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Old 01-03-2012, 05:12 AM
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Phil from Maine
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maine
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While I am not a big fan of buckshot a lot of deer have been shot and recovered with it over the years.. Up here the choice of buckshot used to be #4 buck. 40 to 50 yards would certainly be the max for it. The biggest key to using buckshot is 1) distance and 2) tracking. As stated before on this post very little blood to no blood can be an issue.. The first thing is to check for hair.. Then if not in a pressured area let the deer be for an hour in order for it to lay down and stiffen up some. This will allow you a chance to get very close to it in case it was a no kill shot. When no blood can be found look for a deer running and then walking with it's toes spread.. Spread toes are common with a wounded deer trying to keep it's balance.. I recommened full choke when using buckshot.. Also if you are hunting in that green swamp you were talking about. You most likely will be hard pressed to even see a deer out at 50 yards so you shouldn't have any problem.. Also keep in mind a lot of deer that have been taken with buckshot up here dress out as heavey and heavier at times as your deer at live wieght. The key again is shot range and placement as well as your tracking skills..

Last edited by Phil from Maine; 01-03-2012 at 09:55 AM.
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