I live in Central Indiana. In Indiana it is illeagal to use rifles. So i have to use my slug gun. Where i hunt it is pretty thick in most places. I use my remington 870 express magnum. I have never used a rifle to hunt deer so i can't really judge them. But I always have had great luck with my slug gun in the thick stuff. I haven't had to track one yet. Drops them right in there tracks.