Finally a handgun deer this year.

[sixshot]

Good job Tyrone, one of these days you're going to wear out the barrel on that old 7/30 Waters! Why not break out that Vaquero that's part mine?

Dick

[contender]

Thanks all!

Yep, James,,, that thing does travel a lot with me. It became a favorite a long time ago & as many here will understand,,, "It just feels right" in my hands.
As for wearing out the barrel,,, I stumbled upon a spare one a few years ago for a very fair price. I didn't NEED it,, but it has the factory porting,,, and shoots just as good with the same exact load. And while that Vaquero is a tack driver,,, I have a few others I plan on bloodying before I get around to that one. I have a El Dorado, a FA, a 45 OM, and a 41 maggie I need to dust stuff with first.

And Robb,,, I will admit I had boots on in the wee hours of the morning,, but I was barefoot later on. In fact, as I was cutting on him, it was so warm, (about 58-60 degrees,) the yellow jackets were so thick, and a nuisance that I had them landing on my hands & feet. I got bit not stung by one that was trying to get meat on my bloody hands.

[darrellh]

Fine buck and good shooting, congrats Contender!

[cmnash]

Well done! Over 100 deer with a handgun is no small feat.

[contender]

cmnash,,, I will say a LOT of luck played into it. Of course,,, it helps that I started back in the 1980's, & NC has a liberal limit of 6 deer a year.

But when decided to hunt with a handgun I purposely left a rifle at home. It made me use what I had. And I started with a Ruger Redhawk, then found my Contender was a laser to shoot & it became my primary handgun. I was also fortunate back when to have several large areas to hunt w/o worries of trespassing charges etc. In the last 10 or so years,,, thanks to property sales, closed off areas, etc,, my space to hunt has shrunk a lot.
We used to have a 3 week firearm season, and I'd hunt hard with a handgun for the first 2 weeks. And if I didn't have enough meat,,, I'd drag out my 243 the last week & put a few meat deer down. With the places I'd hunt,,, I could be a lot pickier about which deer I took, so handgunning was a lot easier,,, except when I saw a good shooter, and wasn't given a proper, safe, clear, doable shot. I have passed on some NICE bucks when it wasn't "right" and taken a lot of does for meat as well.
Still, when it all comes together,,, it is hard to describe. I STILL get excited when a deer shows up around me, and if it's one I can take, & I choose to do so,,, the excitement level rises. But when I pull the trigger, & the deer falls,, it's a very satisfying feeling to know I've done it again,,, with a handgun.

I can recall when I started handgunning,,, and going camping with my buddies. At first,,, I got razzed a lot for not having a rifle with me. But when I joined their deer pool, ($20 buys you in, & they had a scoring system for what all we killed,) and never placed below second,,, they went from; "You ain't gonna kill anything with that handgun",,,,, to (imagine a growling gruff voice,) "What the hell have you killed this time with that damn handgun?"
My best year was a 10 pt, (2) 8 pts, a 5 pt, and (2) does.

So, when folks ask about handgun hunting,, I encourage them to just try it. Leave the rifle at home. Go HUNTING,,, and be willing to let a deer walk that you know you can not kill humanely. And I tell them to practice a LOT,, using field conditions & positions as much as possible.


Another thing I started long ago is a hunting log. I didn't keep one until 1997. it has helped me study our local patterns, habitat, rut, etc. Plus,, it's a record for my kids when I'm gone.

[foxtrapper]

Dec 12, 2016 22:44:09 GMT -5 contender said:

Thanks guys!
That Contender is a 7x30 Waters,,, that I've used to take over 100 deer. It's a tried & true favorite of mine. Almost w/o fail, I have taken all of them with a neck shot. I don't ruin meat, DRT, and easier cleaning. No trailing etc. I took out the inside the cavity tenderloins & had fresh meat for super! A little seasoning, olive oil, and a quick searing to just get them done. Melts in your mouth!

Sorriest I been was selling off my 14" tc hunter in 7x30 waters......... great buck!

[azshaun]

Dec 16, 2016 9:27:06 GMT -5 contender said:

So, when folks ask about handgun hunting,, I encourage them to just try it. Leave the rifle at home. Go HUNTING,,, and be willing to let a deer walk that you know you can not kill humanely. And I tell them to practice a LOT,, using field conditions & positions as much as possible.

I never grew up hunting. Mainly, because as a preacher's kid my dad always focused on the church and providing for the family. So, it wasn't until a year ago that I had my first successful hunt. 2 rabbits in the same day. I can honestly say that my hunting career started handgun hunting. 1st rabbit was with the little Taurus PT-22 at about 15 paces to prove to myself how useful the gun and 22s are. 2nd was with my big 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk in 41 Mag. 215 grain SWC (From S and S casting) at about 1400fps (guessing). That one was at 30 long steps.

Haven't been successful since though.

I love reading the stories of many of you, as they help as I try to teach myself to hunt.

[contender]

azshaun,,, do not give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started handgunning for critters with a 22 & went after squirrels. I also practiced a lot on the local snake population. Walking the riverbank,, we'd find water snakes, copperheads etc & a buddy & I would take them out. We did a lot of 22 RF hunting together for squirrels when the season opened. So, it was a progression to bigger critters that just happened.
Spend time out in the field, year round, with a handgun & learn how to take AND make shots.

I grew up hunting,, and squirrels were my first game. Hunting them bushytails gave me a lot of field experience. But you are never too late or too old to take it up. Keep at it!

[Joe S.]

Good advice. Shooting at game is TOTALLY different than shooting targets.

I also like to print pictures of squirrels and rabbits and shoot at them. Not the real thing but close as you can get in the off season.

[azshaun]

Dec 16, 2016 21:14:30 GMT -5 contender said:

azshaun,,, do not give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started handgunning for critters with a 22 & went after squirrels. I also practiced a lot on the local snake population. Walking the riverbank,, we'd find water snakes, copperheads etc & a buddy & I would take them out. We did a lot of 22 RF hunting together for squirrels when the season opened. So, it was a progression to bigger critters that just happened.
Spend time out in the field, year round, with a handgun & learn how to take AND make shots.

I grew up hunting,, and squirrels were my first game. Hunting them bushytails gave me a lot of field experience. But you are never too late or too old to take it up. Keep at it!

Thanks for the encouragement. It can get intimidating trying to learn the regulations, the draw... even if I luck into a tag, then the concerns about finding them... it can be difficult to get started.

I am greatful that in AZ, rabbits and coyotes are year round and no limits. I can at least get out that way when my schedule allows.

Bucket list:
Jackrabbit
Coyote
Bobcat (for son #2)
Mountain Lion (for son #2)
Black bear
And then each of the deer/Elk.

[contender]

Get out there,,,, go after the Jacks. And when you spook a coyote,, be prepared to pull a fast snap shot at his (quickly) disappearing butt. Bobcats are elusive & usually are called in to hunt. I have them on my property and I leave mine alone. I saw a very young one while deer hunting a little over a week ago. Cute little bugger. I leave mine alone as we do not have an out of control problem.
Mtn lions,,, well, here in NC, we do not have any,, but many western states have excellent hunting for them, with dogs & it is one heck of a hunt. Book one once you can feel you can make a good shot at 50 yds.
Bears,,, we have them here, but I've never tagged one. Yet, when I go with my buddies, (mostly dog hunting methods) my handgun is all I carry.
I've taken an elk with a handgun, and a few with a rifle. Get out of state if you have to. You are closer to good elk hunting than I am.
Deer,,, again, travel a bit if you have to. It is worth it!