Big Deer Blog

Mike: I was just curious, where do you aim on a deer when you are hunting with a gun? I have had terrific success with the shoulder shot versus the standard behind-the-shoulder shot. The recovery rates and distances that deer run, margin of error and terminal performance are all superior when I use this aiming point. I think others could benefit if they changed where they shoot a buck and go for more shoulder. Thanks, Kenny from VA. Kenny: I have shot a bunch of bucks through the shoulders and agree that it is a tremendous shot. When you’re on target, you not only take out both shoulders but also get the front of the lungs and shock the heart. [...]

Several hunters have asked me how much they should pay for shoulder mount…$400, $700, $1,000? Prices have definitely gone up, and they vary across the country. $400 seems on the low side, and 1K is high, though I have paid that much for some of my best Canadian bucks. What is the going rate for a GOOD taxidermy job in your area?

The best hunting in the VA Piedmont and Mountains occurs during the muzzleloader season the first 2 weeks of November. Many bucks are bonkers, either chasing or trailing does. Wayne Mills is an accomplished hunter who takes full advantage. Awhile back we profiled Wayne’s 2008 drop-tine giant. Here’s the story of the monster he killed on the same lease on Election Day last fall:   Mike: Two hunt club members saw this buck chasing does on 11/03, opening day of Virginia muzzleloader season. I took a doe on Saturday, so I had earned a buck according to club rules. I couldn't hunt on 11/5, but took off Tuesday morning, planning to vote around noon. I took along my decoy "Bucky" [...]

This from the Wind River Outdoor World FB page: awful difficult to take a wolf with a bow! Boy I'll say, first picture I've ever seen of a bowhunter w/wolf. Don't know who or where, but hell of an accomplishment. Beautiful animal too.