First Good Deer

[J_Owens_66]

The first deer i killed was this season, a doe at about 150 yards with my Ruger .243, it was a deer, and some GREAT meat, but i next wanted to harvest a decent buck. I saw many smaller bucks during the year, but like any QDM person, i let them walk. Well I harvested a buck last Saturday, he was a 9 point with a small drop tine. He wasn't the widest deer ive seen, but he was tall, had good mass and was a old deer, and had a huge body. I got him aged by a friend of mine that is a deer manager, he said about 4 and 1/2 to 5 years old and he weighed about 175 on hoof, which is a massive deer for TN. I have to brag on myself a bit, the shot was almost 400 yards. I am very proud of my kill, and am looking for an even bigger buck. I just really got into QDM this year, planting food plots, mineral licks, creating deer "safe homes" and all my hard work has paid off.

[billygoat]

Congrats on what sounds like a real nice deer, lets see some pics
FYI, you might consider a slightly larger caliber rifle if your typical shot is that far... you made a clean kill, but you are challenging the balistics of your rifle.
Regardless, congrats on a clean kill and a great first buck.

[buckee]

Ditto to what Bill said, and Congratulations on two nice deer.

[Hillbilly]

Hey man any deer is a good deer, and for it being your first a little more added onto it.

[Mathews XT Man]

Keep er up..your off to a great start

[wtnhunt]

Congratulations. You are right a 175 lb deer is a pretty good sized deer in Tennessee. Just dont see too many make it to 4 1/2 years old around here.

How about posting some pics.

[Gus]

Congrats, sounds like a good season for you. Good luck with your future hunts

[VermontHunter]

Congrats on the success...and thanks for the QDM practices...you're right it does pay off in the end...
GREAT JOB..

[J_Owens_66]

I will post some pics as soon as i get my pics developed and scanned, what is a good web site that will host them? I'm not all that sure how to do the pictures, if anyone could give me some instructions it'd be great. Thanks

[mathews4life]

Congrats, sounds like your having a good season

[wtnhunt]

You can post em right here on the RT site. Look at the top of the page and click the link. Posting photos has never been easier. You can check the tutorial in the photo room for some very informative instruction.

[hobie]

Congrats on a fine deer

[too_pointer]

Great job J, I bet you are proud 400 yards is a long poke, never did it myself. Pics if you can.
too_pointer