I shot this deer during 2019 WI deer season. I was sitting in a stand on the side of a ridge. Opening day I sat in stand with my nephew and he shot his first deer a 7 point buck. So the second day I went to the same stand. 125 yards down the hill is a down oak tree. At 6:35 AM I thought I seen some movement. So I brought up the gun and this buck stepped out. I could tell he was big, no time to count points. Pulled the trigger and he ran off 20 yards into some pine trees. I heard him pile up and I sat for 25 minutes to make sure he was bleed out in case it wasn't a good hit. I found him about 40 yards from where I shot him. I thought I would drag him into the clearing to gut, but he was such a hog I could barely get his butt pointed down hill to gut. This is the biggest deer I have shot in years. My brother and I struggled to get him lifted to the tail gate of the truck. I had no way of weighting him but I figure between 250 and 275 dressed. The Redfield 2x7 brought in good light to see him in the early morning light,
I shot him right where I was aiming. Actually I am surprised how accurate this Marlin 35 Rem is with the 200 gr Hornady bullet.
The bullet was found on the offside under the hide weighting 168 grains with a picture perfect mushroom.
Here he is hanging , 10 point.
I like to share my Nephews story on this same hunt. His started opening morning. I was sitting with him in this same stand. It sits below a limestone cliff out on a point. It is a funnel spot because the deer can't go over the top of the ridge and need to come around the point. We were sitting in the buddy tree stand looking down hill when a small buck come around the end of the point at the same spot as our stand. Since the deer was coming in on my side I whispered "Buck". I leaned back and let him come across me and take aim. He pulled the trigger when it was at 40 feet. The next thing that happened was hilarious. The deer jumped up and ran down the hill. I looked at my nephew and his eyes were as big as saucers and he said " I am pretty sure I was aiming right. He was expecting the old 30-30 to drop it in his tracks. I told him that he hit it and I can see him down the hill about 80 yards about ready to walk into the pine trees. It's butt was to us and I told him to hit it again. He could not see it, So I said let me anchor it for you just to make sure. I raised my gun and shot and it disappeared.
Here it is with Grandpas Glenfield 30-30 .As you can see he shot it in the lungs. It was coughing up blood when it was standing at the edge of the pines. But apparently I missed because I could not see were I hit it when I tried to anchored it. Until I hung it up that is. He was walking forward so I shot a little behind.
