superdave

I realize I may make some people mad, but this is MY OPINION, and the question was asked, so here it is: I have been bowhunting since 1983. My bows are old and heavy, but I shoot 370 grain(including 85gr Thunderheads)Beaman Hunter about 315 fps on an overdraw. Some may be a little faster, but not a whole lot faster, and it is the speed that kills. My personal longest was about 55 yds on a 165 class whitetail standing broadside, stock still with NO wind, and I had no chance to get closer. He went about 30 yds before I found him. I practiced regularly at 60 yds at the time, and shot tournament and 3-D twice a week. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN THAT LONG OF A SHOT SINCE, AND WONT. Arrow trajectory is pure science that most people can agree on(MOST)... Even my light little beaman, out that far is falling very fast. 60-62 yds is 3-1/2 inches, 62 to 64 yds is 4 inches, and so on. 80 to 82 yds is a full 5 inches of drop in 6 feet, think about that... Can you range an animal that close that far away? What about the wind? slope correction? What if he moves while you draw? A heavier arrow setup will help you with the wind at long distance, but will fall even faster... No one has any bussiness shooting at ANYTHING out past 60 yards, period. Alot of people do it, and some are successful, some are lucky, but the vast majority just pissed away 15 bucks for an arrow and broadhead, and hopefully did not wound an animal in the process. There are just too many variables that come into play out that far. For some folks, hunting is about honoring the animal with a skillful stalk, an ethical shot and a respectful harvest. The older I get, the more I tend to look at it this way. When I was younger it was all about inches of bone and body counts, and that's ok. I think we all go through that stage of our hunting career, and maybe we need to go through it, heck I don't know. Bottom line is you have to make the call for yourself, but approach it cautiously, you have to live with yourself after every shot, and the bad ones hang on long after the lucky ones have faded. -SD

179-7/8, what a toad

Congrats Josh on a really nice buck. Hunting with the family is the best.

Very nice buck, well done

This is why I ALWAYS bring 2 rifles or 2 bows. My hunts are too expensive to end up throwing rocks. Camp security is an issue, and a couple of well placed game cameras can provide some peace of mind. There are other ways to secure things inside your vehicle or hide them on tyhe outside. Sorry for your bad luck. -SD

Awesome bucks!!! we need to hear the story...

What a bruiser!!! Congrats.

I love to see the kids gathered around tell him congrats on a hard hunt and a nice trophy!

Great bucks man, congrats!!!

Awesome bucks, congrats to you both

WOW Lefty, one lefty to another, that is an AWESOME BUCK!

super nice buck, congrats!

Storage is the key to your question, High heat and high moisture are the enemy of your ammo. I harvested earlier this year with some 300 ultramag I loaded back in 2001, and when I shot it before the hunt it was still less than a minute. Under the bed in a dry box is better than under the seat of the pickup. Properly stored, I would not be afraid to go 20 years. Today's components are very stable compared to those of 30 years ago. Good hunting, -SD

12 to 15 rounds for the ultramag, and 3-14 round mags for the 45 SUPER. I should carry more for the ultramag hunting in the border units...

Very nice buck, congrats!

Saaaweeeeeeet!!! Congrats to the hunter

3 Great bucks!!! congratulations to all. -SD

TJ said it very well. I lost my dad last year to cancer, and I miss him. Fortunately we shared many, many hunts and discussions of hunting over the years and I have lots of priceless memories. Spend all the time you can with him and you will never regret a minute of it. -SD

WOW look how high he is... Nice buck, congrats

Very nice bucks!!!

Never go on a hunting trip without a good rifle, and a good backup rifle. Take both of them, or risk being under-prepared...

+1. On several occasions I have witnessed a "sharpshooter" with a 2000 dollar rifle and a 1500 dollar scope miss an animal at 150-200 yards, and miss repeatedly. There is no substitute for practical experience, and it is the nut that holds the trigger. 600 to 700 yard shots are rarely successful in the field, and probably don't happen as much as you think. Your .270 will be fine to hunt with.

That is an awesome buck, way to go man!!!

Very nice buck, congrats!!

My buddy Todd and I bagged these 2 28" bruisers last year in the Beach Mountains north of Van Horn, TX. My 338 RUM 200 gr handloads knocked this buck off his feet at 268 yards, and he never got up. I am starting to get the fever again now, with the hunt still a month away