On Saturday morning at 8:30 am the only thought of long range was the two duck hunts the two mornings prior to the firearms deer season. Standing in my stand on the edge of a brushy thicket I sipped on the fifth cup of coffee from my thermos. My burning scratching eyes were pleasantly opened by a bobbing head coming across the field to me some 250 yds away. I said ok to myself as I reached for my 50 cal. mag. CVA inline muzzleloader. Today I was shooting a 245 gr. Powerbelt Aerotip Bullet with 100 gr. Pyrodex Powder. I had two holes to shoot through the timber assuming the deer would make a right or left turn somewhere in the field. I settled my arm pit in the fork of the tree anticipating a 150 yd shot and took a deep breath. Unexpectedly the animal never broke stride. A steady pace brought him inside the 125 yd mark and we realized he was not a buck but a good buck. Since a clear shot was not presented I had not even glassed him at this point. As he entered the timber with me at the 75 yd mark I realized he was an excellent buck. Suddenly the motorola walkie talkie on the back side of the tree began to beep. At 50 yds I reached around the tree and grabbed the device, shut it off with my thumb and brought it around and held the antenna in my mouth. He's still never broke stride at this point, coming to me down the right side at 75 degrees. At 25 yds I realize he's not going to stop, he's atleast an 8pt in the 145 class, and since the radio beep my heart rate has tripled. As he passes the stand at 20 feet I realize he's a great deer. With my feet planted in the orginal position from which he appeared I twisted my upper torso 55 degrees and brought the crosshairs to rest right behind his shoulder as he STOPPED. I'm sure the water was cool but alittle salty in the hole dug by his friends just 9 steps away. Thirty years of hunting experience left me as I pulled the trigger and the excitement of a a young boy returned. What a feeling! The aerotip never exited, a good bloodtrail was left and my only brother was present again as he was in '82 to help me recover my trophy. It was a great day and it brought back alot of good memories over the years. Best of luck to you all. Here's to good friends, long and close shot, and you S1.
Old post but great buck! I think your guesstamation is a bit conservative. Looks like he will go slightly over 150"...........great buck! Nice account as well........
