Watcha gonna do?

[Tristate]

It's opening day of the general season in the middle of the pumpkin patch. You snuck into the valley where your target buck was last seen. You glass up this guy laying down. He's not your target buck but he's even bigger. A couple of extras and I nice heavy frame. You have a nice flat rest and you are almost level with him. Wind is less than 10 mph and your range finder says 5-10 variable. You range him at 623 yards.

There's people everywhere and you are pretty sure a couple of shots from an outdoor writer have already buzzed over your head. You shoot varmints in the head at 500 yards all the time but this is the buck of a lifetime.

What do you do?

 

[antlerradar]

Bucks like that don't exist in the pumpkin patch, I am looking for the warden cause that buck is the decoy.

 

[willfrye027]

View attachment 143302

It's opening day of the general season in the middle of the pumpkin patch. You snuck into the valley where your target buck was last seen. You glass up this guy laying down. He's not your target buck but he's even bigger. A couple of extras and I nice heavy frame. You have a nice flat rest and you are almost level with him. Wind is less than 10 mph and your range finder says 5-10 variable. You range him at 623 yards.

There's people everywhere and you are pretty sure a couple of shots from an outdoor writer have already buzzed over your head. You shoot varmints in the head at 500 yards all the time but this is the buck of a lifetime.

What do you do?

5-10mph variable wind..I’m stalking closer. That’s 10in of drift at 5mph and 20in at 10mph for a good bullet…too variable for me. And that’s assuming no funny wind currents across the canyon that you don’t know about. I’m stalking closer.

Was practicing basically this shot last night..gusting from about 5mph to 12mph at 600 yards and lots of misses both left and right of the plate. In a steady wind that would be a much easier shot.

 

[Snoopdogg]

Gotta get closer. I'd love to spray and pray, but I don't live in the hood anymore.

 

[Mallardsx2]

People used to kill these things with spears.....pretty sure a guy can get closer.

 

[TKMulePacker]

Chase him down and run him over with a SxS, what state are we in?

 

[BrowningRage]

I can see where being in the Pumpkin Patch is definitely an issue, but I'm getting closer... It doesn't take too long to cut a couple hundreds yards off and I've definitely never shot that far at an animal.

Of course, If this is some kind of cross canyon thing, maybe I'm slinging lead

 

[Houndsman77]

I'm going to find the first flat brimmer closest to me and barrow his 6.5 creedmoor and send it. I seen it on YouTube once that's a chip shot for a creedmoor.

 

[yoteduster]

Do my best to Get closer.too good of a buck to screw up on and lose I'd try to get in to 2-250 yards that'd be my max if I can't make it to that hopefully I'll get another crack at him.if not..it was nice to see a nice buck

 

[270Whatelse]

Dial it up and send it! Beforehand though I would make sure I had all my extra shells out so I can reload quick to make sure he stays put. Nothing wrong with a shot off antler you can glue it back on if you find it, if not it just adds character.

 

[mtncowboy]

I shot an antler off a buck once! But he was about 50 yards away! My dad and brother really laughed and asked what I was looking at

 

[HntHrdr]

Going for a leg shot… that way when he gets chased by the orange mob he will leave a good blood trail. Everyone knows that

 

[Rie bread]

The bc of my 6.5 prc will get me there

 

[elkassassin]

I Think I've Seen That Buck Before!

I'm Backing Off & Hope I Can Sneak Back to 1,200 Yards & Tri Him!

 

[DuaneZ]

I'm encouraged to hear most would try to get closer to take a more ethical shot!! I cringe at some of the long range shots people are taking and posting on social media, which many end up requiring follow up shots.

 

[gundog2]

You are asking for trouble taking long shots, especially on the opening day of a general season hunt. It is unlikely, or very lucky, that you will anchor that deer down without having him get up and attract the attention of other hunters that might be closer than you are. They end up making the final kill shot. By the time you get there they are dragging the deer as fast as possible, knowing someone else is looking for that deer. Take time to get close. If someone beats you there, then it is likely that they would have got the deer either way.

 

[marley]

I’m dialing, checking wind, and waiting for him to stand. I had this exact scenario this past season except he was 615. Waited an hour or so then dumped him right back in his bed.

 

[marley]

 

[oldmossback]

Depends on which way that wind is blowing. That will determine if I am getting closer or sending it

 

[marley]

You can hear the wind whipping in the video. I had a 12 mph left to right wind. Tacked on 2 MOA for wind and it was perfect.

 

[Rie bread]

Guessing wind is guessing wind, dialing or not.

 

[marley]

The advantage you have with a bedded buck is that you can spend some time with your windometer at your position and then spend time glassing the grass, leaves and mirage between you and the deer. Time behind your rifle on only windless days hurts you.

 

[Rie bread]

Like I said the bc of my bullet is gonna dirt nap that sucka

 

[Buckfever34]

Bang flop.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Niced buck. Nice video. And nice shot. When you practice at that range and know your equipment, that's the result. A good one!

Me on the other hand, I don't practice at that range and don't know my equipment at that range, so I'd need to get about 300 yards closer.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wyo_Roadhunter]

Boom whack