OK Muzzleloader Buck

[duckhunter175]

Headed north from Dallas to hit up Oklahoma for a special primitive muzzleloader hunt. Percussion or flintlock guns only, lead projectiles (round ball/conical/maxi), iron sights and loose powder. I built a Traditions Deerhunter .50cal specific for this hunt. Not only did it go together relatively easily (nothings perfect but it didn't take any major fitting) but it was a tack driver at 70 yards with iron sights. Sighted her in with 75gr of RS and a 325gr conical. It was a very hot weekend in October but I had a buck pinned down to a core area from some summer scouting. The wind wasn't right first thing in the morning so I stayed out and hunted along a small drainage. As soon as the wind shifted I ran back to the truck and beelined for the spot. I snuck down to another creek bed where he had been hanging out and no sooner did I sneak 20 yards into the drainage he popped up from his bed. He hadn't winded me but must have heard me as I tried to creep across the rocks (see pic). He was on my side of the creek and started up the side hill I was on. Knowing that I was about to have an easy 20 yard shot I cocked the hammer.

 

As soon as he heard that 'click' he dropped back down, crossed the creek and was walking quickly quartering away. I had to make 3 big steps to my right to get him in the open, lined up the sights and squeezed off, holding on the front of his chest, mid way up. Smoked billowed and I saw a small stumble before he ran out of sight. Had I just killed the biggest deer of my life? With a gun I made? I waited 20 minutes and crossed the creek.

 

30 more minutes passed... no hair, no blood... and no tracks with all the rock. Then a small pin prick, then a drop, then a splash...and bubbles in it all. I hustled down the trail and 75 yards away my buck was piled up. The slug entered just behind the shoulder, passed through a rib and both lungs before coming to rest just forward of the opposite shoulder, underneath the skin.

 

He carried 11 points (6x5), weighed 140lbs dressed and is in the mid 130s (I'm hardly a pro at scoring).

 

First drop of blood--- Never give up!

 

Here he is!

 

 

The slug!

 

 

[AZkiller]

Wow nice buck. Congrats!

[wildwoody]

That's a nice ok buck.

[lancetkenyon]

Amazing TX Coues......

[WampusCat]

Awesome deer and story... Now I gotta see that gun!

[duckhunter175]

Rifle-- I think it turned out nice for their entry level kit gun. Had the metal cerakoted to reduce rust with flat black as I couldn't figure a color scheme for the old 'brown'. I didn't like the way the ramrod seated so I left it out since I have a spin-jag rod I use normally anyways.

 

 

Here is my skinner. A Damascus steel piece forged by my high school hunting buddy who now owns/operates Nafzger Forge.

 

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

Super awsome man, love the gun and the knife. Congrats

[WampusCat]

Wow! That completed the story. Love it when a plan come together. Congrats!

[WHT_MTNMAN]

I love it, the close shot, gun you built and cool knife! Congrats

[bigorange]

Awesome buck and great story...congrats!

[duckhunter175]

Thanks guys!! Much appreciated-- OK is a two buck state so Ive back in there recently and missed his big brother with my bow... Have a few days of archery left and then I will be back with my rifle after Thanksgiving.

 

I will say that in this area with the wide open terrain, the TTPs that I've learned on here for chasing Coues and having glass on tripod has made a huge difference!

[wildwoody]

Regular Daniel Boone right there..