Tennessee buck on a rainy day.

[okawbow]

Saturday was the start of muzzleloader season in Tennessee. I got to hunt a couple hours before the rain started Saturday. Several does, but no antlers. Been watching the does and fawns all summer and don’t really want to shoot one. Sunday, rained all morning and finally stopped about 2:00. I walked about 100 yards out the back door and sat behind a tree. There were still storms in the area and I wanted to be near the house. About 2:30, I heard a crash behind me and looked to see a nice buck about 60 yards away. He seemed to be following a doe. I swung my long barreled Bedford around the tree and touched off a shot. Of course he ran down the steepest hill on my place and crashed. I hoisted the deer up with a little block and tackle I keep in my pack. Had to quarter and pack him up the hill in pieces. Of course it started to rain then and continued to rain and lightning until I finished packing him out. Used my new .50 cal. Bedford I made this summer. 70 grains 2F patched round ball.

[White-tail]

Love your photo and hunt story!

[mesabi]

That's a dandy buck!  It might just be me, but venison always seems to taste a little better when there's some "sweat equity".

[Skychief]

Great buck!!!  Congratulations!!!

[tunadawg]

Nice buck! Congrats.

[beltfedmg@yahoo.com]

Nice one, Good shooting Tennessee!

[Robby]

Nice!!!!!!!!
Robby

[wattlebuster]

Very nice 

[BOB HILL]

Great job. Fine memories. Thanks for sharing
Bob

[grouse]

Nice looking flintlock and deer!

[taterbug]

Nice! 

And yep, can see that hill behind you!  Cameras tend to flatten the hills, but comparing the trees to the ground underneath gives some idea of the terrain.  There's some serious work there, especially for the more 'seasoned' among us! 

Well done all around!

[smylee grouch]

Nice. Tell us about the load, shot placement and performance.

[MuskratMike]

Congratulations, that is one fine buck. I take it you have to wear orange in Tennessee to hunt even on your own property? Regardless that is going to provide yu with some darn fine eating all winter.

[Dave Marsh]

Nice buck.  Congratulations. 

[okawbow]

Nice. Tell us about the load, shot placement and performance.

I think the buck started after the doe right as I pulled the trigger. He was quartering away and
I hit farther back than I was aiming. I only got 1 lung and the liver. That’s why he ran a ways down the hill. My deer load is 70 grains 2F behind a .50 felt wad, a pillow ticking patch lubed with bear oil, and a .480 round ball. This combo loads easily with the wood ramrod. The muzzle is coned. No starter needed. Accuracy is excellent, and as good as a very tight load.

[Daryl]

Now THAT'S how to blood a new rifle. Well done.

[ScottH]

Nice looking buck!
Congrats! 

[StevenV]

Very Nice , Congratulations !!!!!

[Austin]

Good job!

[Osprey]

Congrats!!

[Ben I. Voss]

Sleek looking buck. Good shootin’!

[Pukka Bundook]

Congrats on a very good start to your relationship with this new rifle!
You seem to get on well together!!

[alacran]

Nice buck Okabow congratulations!
 I have never seen the sense of people insisting on taking out a large buck in one piece. Much easier to skin and quarter in place then take it out in pieces.

[Tony N]

Congratulations!

Tony

[okawbow]

Nice buck Okabow congratulations!
 I have never seen the sense of people insisting on taking out a large buck in one piece. Much easier to skin and quarter in place then take it out in pieces.

I really have no other choice when the deer ends up in my creek bottom. Steep hill and too much brush for a 4 wheeler. Don’t own one anyway. I am getting a better block and tackle to keep at the house though. Hard to pull up a 170# buck off the ground with 3/16” rope. Did a skull mount. Here’s what he looks like under last year’s muzzle loader buck, killed just 40 yards away.