not exactly the east coast-

[tincan]

went antelope/mule deer hunting in Montana with my brother-in-law and father-in-law. got a smallish antelope buck at around 160 yards, clean, one shot thru hs lungs, ran about fifty feet. we crawled up on a group of them over the top of a hill and I shot from a bipod.

we ran all over the place after the deer, ended up sliding down a grade and setting up waiting for him to run into view above us, maybe 220 yards up a grade coming off a little mesa. I was clumsily trying to get set, so I stopped that nonsense and tried, for the first time in years, shooting off-hand, kneeling. I hit the sucker when he slowed down just before going behind a rock formation; the guide I was with told me to wait, he'd come back, he did, and I put a follow-up shot low and missed. I hit him in the right shoulder, he took off out of sight down into some canyons and gulches. we looked for him for four hours, but never found him. the guide was sure the deer was dead, but someplace in the maze of canyons where we wouldn't be able to find him. I was as tired as I have ever been.

the guide shot a badger while we were searching, and a fox earlier in the week while I was missing:)

father and brother-in-law tagged out with an antelope and mule deer each.

we had a great time and decided to go again next year. father-in-law used a Weatherby in 300 magnum, brother-in-law a 30-06 in an '03 Springfield.

I used a Heym rifle in 7mm Mauser.

[ncboman]

Montana???

Man you really are making the big bucks aren't ya? ;D

Glad you had a good time in spite of the lope. Looks like the .30cals reign supreme again.

[tincan]

"Man you really are making the big bucks aren't ya?"

I'm considerably lighter than I was a week ago:))

"Looks like the .30cals reign supreme again"

I'm going back with a .270, I've not, in the two times we've gone out there, taken my own rifle.

I have to say, the last encounter with the mule deer was exciting, I feel bad that I let a wounded animal get out of sight, but all in all, the whole thing raised my heart rate.

[ncboman]

tincan said:

"Man you really are making the big bucks aren't ya?"

I'm considerably lighter than I was a week ago:))

"Looks like the .30cals reign supreme again"

I'm going back with a .270, I've not, in the two times we've gone out there, taken my own rifle.

I have to say, the last encounter with the mule deer was exciting, I feel bad that I let a wounded animal get out of sight, but all in all, the whole thing raised my heart rate.

I noticed you didn't cap 'considerably' so I guess it weren't THAT bad. ;D

I got the lope mixed up with the deer, my bad. It ain't like they're endangered up there anyway.

re, guns;

going from bad to worse imo. Take an 06 or 300 and be sure, no doubt, wham slam. ;D

ps, been going by the old home place regularly lately and everything appears secure and fine.

[tincan]

"ps, been going by the old home place regularly lately and everything appears secure and fine."

many thanks; choice of caliber suggestion under consideration.