Variety is the spice of life

[MOPanfisher]

For something like 18 years I have been loading the same bullet and powder charge for my wife's .243, well the performance has gotten boringly routine.  So this year I replaced her 100 grain hdy interlock with an 80 grain Hornaday 80 grain GMX all copper bullet.  They shoot well in her rifle and have even a little less recoil that her special loads did.  Heard her shoot a little while ago and got a text that she has a little 3 point down so I guess they work too.  Will see in a little bit what sort or damage the new bullet did, apparently it was enough.

[fshndoug]

I also have several .243 rifles.I shoot 100 gr Hornady interlock handload.Around 50 deer later,why mess around with success.

[Haris122]

Nice, how has rifle season been going for the rest of you guys? I’ve sat all day in the woods the past 5 days and saw deer only 1 day. Saw 4 of them Monday on 3 separate occasions but each time they saw me first and bolted. I’m catching up on sleep today since it was forecast to be windy, and then going to give it another go tomorrow, and if necessary maybe a day next week and a day during antlerless. Hoping it doesn’t get to those last 2 days though. But the general area I’ve been at has been pretty dead despite lots of good signs. 

[MOPanfisher]

Been a slow season here, way less deer seen that in years past.  I am bad about getting bored with calibers, bullets, loads and want to try something else.  Field dressing done, couldn't have placed her shot better with a laser pointer, both lungs destroyed, top of heart gone, no meat damaged.  About as clean a rifle killed deer as I have gutted.  Same result as before though.  Shot, jump, kick, run, pile up dead at about 50 yards.  There has also been a coyote that was I jure or sick wandering around the pasture that I was gonna hunt after she finished with deer.  Well I guess I will have to go fishing instead because he walked in front of her and caught a bullet at top of shoulders/spine.  And man is he a stinky rascal.

[Haris122]

I've had years when I've seen less than this one, but that's not saying much. Seems like I hardly ever see any. Figure one of these years I'd have a season where I see them frequently, but not looking like it's this season either. I'm hoping to have a clean kill like she did. Except, I'd hope they drop right in their tracks and don't get back up. My rifle caliber is not as potent (7.62x39), but I think my bullet selection this year is better than what I got my first 3 deer with, and in general I haven't got any shots that were all that far anyways. Now I just need to get a shot opportunity to really find out if these rounds do the job as humanely as I hope they do.

[oneshot]

Congratulations on the meat.

I'm not hunting this year and people talking about not seeing Deer has me concerned for next year. If I'm able might try Archery Hunting go from there.

Did see an old 6 Point down by the Niangua River today.

oneshot

[OzarkFishman]

Guys, the deer population in Missouri is as healthy as ever (except for pre-1800s).

Maybe some places are a little lower, but the statewide numbers are consistent and MDC does a good job of adjusting regulations as necessary.

Our deer herd is consistently between 1.3 and 1.4 million and we harvest around 300,000 a year in this great state.

No need to worry.

On a personal note, I have seen more deer within 40 yards this year than I ever have. It's been fun!

[MOPanfisher]

Three are always areas where it is lower or for some reason you see fewer deer.  I was talking withe MDC person who came by to take CWD sample and she said there was a lot of EHD in this area.  I did find a dead deer by our little creek in august I believe and she confirmed that would be about the right time.  State wide kill opening weekend was down by around 10K I believe, still plenty of deer overall though.  And more importantly the crappie population is fabulous.

[snagged in outlet 3]

24 minutes ago, OzarkFishman said:

Our deer herd is consistently between 1.3 and 1.4 million

That's about what roams my subdivision each night 

[nomolites]

I’m seeing a lot of deer, just very few mature bucks.  I thinks they are busy..😉.  I did arrow a real good one on the 8th so I have meat in the freezer - am hoping for a chance at another during gun season.  If not, I’ll get the bow back out and take a doe if the big boys hole up.

Mike