My favorite venison is Axis deer, with Mountain Muleys, and Corn/Soy Bean foraging whitetail following. Sika sure look pretty, and the bigger one, Dybowski, is high on my bucket list. There just isn't any way a 30.06 and a good 165gr bullet can be "beat", can it? ha One could use that load on just about anything, anywhere. My first experience with a 165gr was the very first Red Box Federals that came out with the 165 Game King, remember those? They not only made my dad's old Rem 742 shoot better ( from 6" 150 CL to 3-4" with the Federals at 100) but I immediately liked how they killed great yet didn't tear up as much as the 150, especially under 65yds (majority of my shots with it then). If I didn't have a gee wiz, "friend of a lifetime" .35 Whelen Improved, I would be right back to a good 30.06 again. As it is, my( "Texas deer rifle ) is now an older Belgium BAR in 270. Nice and heavy for sighting tight in a blind and for showing off in camp, lol. Glad you had a great time.