More deer Questions

Daleo8803

Daleo8803

Move along, move along
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Ok guys. I asked some questions earlier and got some good answers. I have a few more.

First I will be hunting with my Dan Wesson 357mag revolver. Is there any ammo recommendations?

How about shot placement? Where should I aim? Heart lungs, shoulders etc.

IF I get one should I gut it right there or just let the meat place handle it?


What do you think of hunting over bait? I'm not looking for a trophy just meat.

Thanks
 
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Any hot defense ammo should work fine. Shot placement for me varied but I’ve always like hitting them where the neck and body come together or right behind the shoulder midways down from the top of the back. I like to gut mine ASAP


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Any well placed shot in the vitals should do the trick. I've hit them in the heart, lungs and any combination of them. Some heart shots will still run, some lung shots have dropped dead. Check out the lever evolution ammo, I'm planning on using it in my Henry lever 357 this year.
 
How far away is your processor? If they are close and you can get the deer to them quickly, it should not be an issue.

If you don't know how to properly gut a deer, it might be best to take it to them whole. I have seen several processors that preferred the deer not be gutted because so many people made a mess of them.
 
beamernc said:
How far away is your processor? If they are close and you can get the deer to them quickly, it should not be an issue.

If you don't know how to properly gut a deer, it might be best to take it to them whole. I have seen several processors that preferred the deer not be gutted because so many people made a mess of them.
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It's about 40 mins. I have never shot a deer or cleaned one. IF I get one it will all be a first for me.
 
I remember taking my firsy deer, was only 2 years ago, and I am very thankful that my father in law was with me to show me the ropes of gutting and field dressing it. It is not as easy as just watching a you tube video, at least not the first time. Im sure you could do it but its real nice to see it done and help out for the first time.
 
For .357 out of a handgun I prefer a mid to heavy for caliber bullet if possible. 158-180 preferred, but I've shot them with 140s and even 125s in a pinch. I prefer either SWC or JSP or bonded JHP over old school cup and core JHP. Since you're using a handgun momentum is your friend.....

If you hit shoulder bone it may not get a complete pass-thru depending on range and bullet. A lightly constructed bullet intended to rapidly expand in people can fail to penetrate adequately in a larger whitetail. That doesn't mean the deer won't still die, you just may not have two holes pumping blood to leave a trail for you.

Ideally I like to hit them quartering away bullet entering just to the rear of the onside shoulder and exiting just to the front of the offside shoulder. That way you get a bit longer wound channel than a true broadside shot. More lung destroyed, more big arteries and such severed to bleed.

Good luck! Handgun hunting is a lot of fun.
 
Go wild bill and shoot em in the head :)

Shoot behind the shoulder.

field dress it on the spot, after you call it in. No matter what anyone tells you, that’s how you get the best tasting meat.

Edit to add: I missed the processor part. Take the whole deer since you likely won’t get your deer back anyway. I’m not sure how that works. If you process yourself, field dress it.
 
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The processor I use prefers whole deer. Field dressing makes it harder for his guys to keep the meat clean, he says. Of course, he charges by the lb, too. Go figure.

Being a meat hunter, I hunt over bait 75% of the time.

As far as shot placement, I've had the best results shooting just behind the shoulder, but below the centerline height of the deer.
 
Love2shoot said:
:eek: really? Up north when I hunted the processor let me hang out with him while he worked his magic. I would hate the thought of not getting the meat of the exact deer I harvested.
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I’m not sure since I’ve never used one but the guys I know that do, just drop them off and pick them up later.
 
If you're dead set on a handgun at least get a gun capable of dropping the deer where it stands. As in .44 or better. Even with longer barrels the velocity of a 357 can't guarantee good performance. A .44 relies on mass and velocity and has effective range of about 75-100 yards. The 357 is only about half of that.
If you've never seen a deer suffer, get ready. You owe it to the animal to kill it cleanly and humanely.
 
rantingredneck said:
For .357 out of a handgun I prefer a mid to heavy for caliber bullet if possible. 158-180 preferred, but I've shot them with 140s and even 125s in a pinch. I prefer either SWC or JSP or bonded JHP over old school cup and core JHP. Since you're using a handgun momentum is your friend.....

If you hit shoulder bone it may not get a complete pass-thru depending on range and bullet. A lightly constructed bullet intended to rapidly expand in people can fail to penetrate adequately in a larger whitetail. That doesn't mean the deer won't still die, you just may not have two holes pumping blood to leave a trail for you.

Ideally I like to hit them quartering away bullet entering just to the rear of the onside shoulder and exiting just to the front of the offside shoulder. That way you get a bit longer wound channel than a true broadside shot. More lung destroyed, more big arteries and such severed to bleed.

Good luck! Handgun hunting is a lot of fun.
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I agree with this. SWC hard cast Keith. Or JSP. Buffalo bore makes a good load for deer hunting with 357.
 
Why not use a little more gun for your first one. In case you screw up, it still dies.
Gut shoot one with a .357 and you are in for a long tracking job.
If you are asking how to de-intestine one, I doubt your tracking skills are where they need to be. Unless you use a good dog.
Read everything you can on the subject, watch videos, careful who you ask questions of, you'll get 43 different answers.
Go slow. It isn't difficult but it doesn't always go like you think it will.
 
If you have a rifle please use it. I am not doubting you can shoot your .357 but when the adrenaline kicks in it gets awful hard holding a pistol steady. Kill a few to break the ice before trying to shoot one with a pistol.
 
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nchunt101 said:
If you have a rifle please use it. I am not doubting you can shoot your .357 but when the adrenaline kicks in it gets awful hard holding a pistol steady. Kill a few to break the ice before trying to shoot one with a pistol.
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I agree completely. Handgun hunting can be a challenge for the most experienced hunters, so I would suggest getting some experience before going that route. I'd hate for a bad experience to ruin your excitement and drive to hunt before you ever get started good.
 
Hmmmmm i am confident in my ability to hit the deer in the right spot but yal bring up good points and good reason to use something bigger for my first time.

How about a 7.62x54r 180gr soft point? All my other rifles are in 223 ( ARs and bolt gun).

I will be trying out a ladder stand as I don't trust the climbing ones.

Please keep the input coming guys. I really appreciate it!
 
Daleo8803 said:
Hmmmmm i am confident in my ability to hit the deer in the right spot but yal bring up good points and good reason to use something bigger for my first time.

How about a 7.62x54r 180gr soft point? All my other rifles are in 223 ( ARs and bolt gun).

I will be trying out a ladder stand as I don't trust the climbing ones.

Please keep the input coming guys. I really appreciate it!
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Which rifle are you more comfortable shooting? 223 works well for deer with proper bullet selection. I would use the rifle I shoot the best. Carry the .357 if you really want to kill a deer with it but carry the rifle you will not be as limited with range.

http://www.shootersproshop.com/ammu...nded-solid-base-ammunition-over-run-20ct.html
 
We'll since you asked, if you're planning to field dress it have knives, gloves and a means to tie off the anus. also have something to drag the animal with, be prepared to load it into your vehicle by yourself, have something to put under it so it doesn't leave blood all over everything. Have a means to photograph it, by yourself, make sure to clean it up a little before pics, i.e. put it's tongue back in it's mouth and take lots of pics. Determine if you'll do a chest mount and watch the length of the cuts you make. Memorize the number to call it in before you move it, and don't forget your hunter orange!!!
You will be wearing clean underwear won't you??
 
nchunt101 said:
Which rifle are you more comfortable shooting? 223 works well for deer with proper bullet selection. I would use the rifle I shoot the best. Carry the .357 if you really want to kill a deer with it but carry the rifle you will not be as limited with range.

http://www.shootersproshop.com/ammu...nded-solid-base-ammunition-over-run-20ct.html
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I'm very comfortable with all 223s. I will need to pick up some hunting ammo for them tho. I know a friend hunts with a 223 and uses federal fusion ammo. With the 223 should I look for a varmint round or a hollow point? Also where would the best shot placement be with the 223? Same?
 
7.62x54 is a deer hammer. I take my mosin a hunting quite often and have never been disappointed with the performance. Shot one at about 150 yards with the Winchester soft point ammo and it dropped dead. I've shot several others with a mosin that were closer and they never even know it hit them. If you have a mosin I would take it over any .223, and I've carried my ar hunting as well, just never shot anything with it. The mosin has been more effective for me than my 30-06. I shot a deer with it once and blew the leg off, deer still ran 40 yards before dropping, never had that happen with the mosin.
 
dman24 said:
7.62x54 is a deer hammer. I take my mosin a hunting quite often and have never been disappointed with the performance. Shot one at about 150 yards with the Winchester soft point ammo and it dropped dead. I've shot several others with a mosin that were closer and they never even know it hit them. If you have a mosin I would take it over any .223, and I've carried my ar hunting as well, just never shot anything with it. The mosin has been more effective for me than my 30-06. I shot a deer with it once and blew the leg off, deer still ran 40 yards before dropping, never had that happen with the mosin.
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A good friend of mine that hunts alot highly recommends I use my mosin. I have a few boxs of Winchester 180gr soft point. Going to do some shooting with it this weekend with that ammo to see how she does.
 
Zbizzle911 said:
Yeah I thought the same thing lol I just cut it all out and don’t let it poop on me or the meat. Never had a problem before


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Heck, I eat the poop for good luck.

Now the bladder is the thing to watch. No piss on the meat. That is kept and used as a scent.
 
dman24 said:
7.62x54 is a deer hammer. I take my mosin a hunting quite often and have never been disappointed with the performance. Shot one at about 150 yards with the Winchester soft point ammo and it dropped dead. I've shot several others with a mosin that were closer and they never even know it hit them. If you have a mosin I would take it over any .223, and I've carried my ar hunting as well, just never shot anything with it. The mosin has been more effective for me than my 30-06. I shot a deer with it once and blew the leg off, deer still ran 40 yards before dropping, never had that happen with the mosin.[
Daleo8803 said:
A good friend of mine that hunts alot highly recommends I use my mosin. I have a few boxs of Winchester 180gr soft point. Going to do some shooting with it this weekend with that ammo to see how she does.
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It is your call but shoot accuracy is a lot more important than caliber choice. I used to help a buddy with his guide service and have seen a lot more deer wounded by heavy recoiling rifles than .223/.243/.308. A deer is easy to kill if hit in the right spot but if hit wrong will live for days suffering. I would aslo reccomend using a decent scope if you have one.
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Tailhunter said:
Alright .....What's this anus tying stuff?
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When I first started hunting I was told to tie the gut off right where it meets the starfish. I don't anymore but I have seen it done a bunch. You are spot on about watching the bladder but damn if I am gonna save the piss. You sir are more hardcore than me.
 
I would go with a heavy lead soft nose bullet. Hollow point would probably destroy too much meat.

Aim for where the leg meets the body, then come half way up the body and drop the hammer. Yes it will damage the shoulders, but handguns are tougher to get exact shot placement and you want to anchor the deer. With a rifle I do 90% neck shots. If they are quartering away, aim behind the shoulder blade and you might miss both shoulders while getting both lungs.

I gut mine where they lay. But if you have the ability to get it out of the woods and to a processor, then it depends one whether you want to pay them or do it yourself. If it's gut shot, dress it ASAP.

Bait is legal. I use it. I'm also hunting very small properties so I need all the help I can get sometimes. BTW, bait is no guarantee. If acorns are on the ground, hunt them.
 
"Memorize the number to call it in before you move it,"

Why call before you move it? Don't know about SC, but in NC you "validate" your tag before you move it from the kill site, but you have 24 hrs to report it and before it is skinned, dressed or dismembered. Field dressing is fine to do before registering it. I typically wait until I get it home and then report it on the NC Wildlife website.
 
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