45/70 does it again!

[Ranger J]

I love this gun!  I busted a nice 8 pointer with it and Rem 300 HP over Varget.  It put him right down on the spot at about 70 yards.  It is the smoothest running and the lest picky of any of my Marlins.  I didn't take it out the first day as it was drizzling and spitting snow so I took my synthetic stocked Savage 200.  The day was raw with about a20 mph wind.  I probably didn't hear a half dozen shots all day and the only two deer I saw was a couple of does that were bedded down in a brush thicket that ran out out the other side as I was walking back to the car.  The next day was bright and sunny with a high in the 50s.  If you don't like the weather in Missouri just wait a day or so.  About 9 or so a doe came blazing across and nothing I did could get her to stop and I missed a hail Marry shot.  Then abut two minutes later here comes the buck doing his Pepi le Pew imitation.  He is now being turned into steaks and stew meat.  I love that gun!  I am about ready to head out to see if I can fill my doe tag but as it is 18 degrees I and I have a nice one headed for the freezer I am in no great hurry a though I guess I better get my porcine self headed in that direction.

RJ

[d_hiker]

Nice shooting.  Friday is the opening day for firearm (no rifle) deer in Illinois.  Weather is going to be cold but clear, 20° to 36°.  I just hope the winds stay down.

[Ranger J]

I lived most of my life in Illinois and probably hunted deer for 30 years or so there and considered myself a pretty good deer hunter there.  I started out with a smooth  bore shotgun and then went to a muzzle loader when they allowed that and then went back to a riffled barrel
Rem. shotgun with a 4 power scope.  About fifteen years ago I took a position with the Missouri parks system and started hunting in the Ozarks.  Boy, talk about a difference.  I started hunting on my father in laws land and from it to the next road was 6 miles and it was all hills and trees.  My Illinois skills were not worth a lot here and I had to learn all  over again it seems.  I am finally getting to where I can do a decent job again but for a few years instead of venison I ate chicken.   Good luck on your hunt in Illinois.

RJ

[d_hiker]

Thank you.  I have cousins in Idaho that hunt and they have a hard time believing me when I tell them about hunting in Illinois.  I told them I would swap them a hunt anytime they wanted.  They have no desire to come here.  I have gone duck and pheasant hunting with them years ago.  I do recognize that different areas have different styles of hunting.  In my part of the state I would be hard pressed to find a spot that doesn't have a house or two within 2 or 3 miles.