This morning was unusually mild here in New York. I took a deer with a bow on October 1, but hadn' t got the opportunity to hunt since. Anyway, I was sitting in my hang on treestand at daylight this morning, enjoying a balmy 68 degree temperature. After a 5 minute sit, I rattled just a little and waited. A few minutes later, I used a grunt just a little...followed by another small rattling episode. Low and behold, a big curious doe appeared...followed by another...and another...and another. None were aware of my presence. I chuckled as one stopped to urinate.
It was a swampy area due to heavy rains last week and they were noisy as they calmly, but cautiously passed by my stand. I noticed that they were watching behind themselves. As is so common, another deer was back there. You guessed it...a buck. No trophy, mind you...a spike horn with 5-6 inch spikes. I guessed him to be about 140 lbs...nice size for a spike....lots of corn and alfalfa around. Now, I don' t have a lot of time to hunt right now, so I watched and mused....should I take him or not? After a few minutes, I decided to take him. I could have kicked myself for not shooting my bow much in the last month, because he was within bow range.
I fired...nice broadside walking shot at 35 yards. He headed for the next county for a few seconds, then tumbled in a heap...kicking and thrashing. I gave him another in the neck. The first went through both lungs. The firearm? A Marlin lever action 44 magnum firing a 240 grain jacketed hollow point. It' s an older model without that ridiculous crossbolt safety and lawyer-installed trigger. Then again, I' m an older model myself! Very light recoil. A joy to carry and shoot.....a
Williams 5-D receiver sight. I could almost insert my fist into the exit wound. Woods hunting...what more do you need? In the woods, 100 yards is a very long way indeed. If you hit them in the vitals, they ain' t goin' far. Looking forwad to some excellent table fare!

Clint

Way to go Clint. I love that little Marlin 44 mag. Mine would put three shots in the same big hole. Never saw a better shooting gun. I sold mine in a bind but another is in my future. The 44 Contender and Revolver give the same results. I shot a couple with a 5" Smith revolver and a couple with my 14 inch contender. Out to 100 yards or even 150 the little carbine is instant death on deer and even much bigger game inside 100 yards.

Congrads on the buck. Those little spikes are good eatin.

I have a M-92 Winchester in .44 Mag and I haven' t fired a single shot at deer yet.....but hopefully I' ll shoot at Kitty this year.....(cougar).

Congratulations!!