momay4000

I'm confused - I thought you just mentioned you shot a deer with a .204 ruger?

With all due respect - I think it's unethical to have used a .204 ruger to kill a deer at 163 yards. Yes, everyone will make the argument that you can kill a deer with a pellet gun if the shot is placed properly, and yes the .204ruger is a legal caliber in NY (the only illegal rifle round in NY to hunt deer is a rimfire cartridge), but you're talking about a 32-40 grain bullet that's smaller than the diameter of a .22lr. I'm sure you had a well placed shot, but I'm certain the outcome could have been different if your shot missed vital structures. Most .204 Ruger bullets are only 32-40 grains, compared with the common .270 which is typically 150 grains. Although the .204 is a zippy little cartridge, you're losing a ton of muzzle energy at a distance of 163 yards (I believe the muzzle energy of a .204 at the end of the barrel is only around 1300 ft/lbs.and I would imagine around 200 yards that it drops to around 600-700 ft/lbs). Compare that with the .270 where the muzzle energy at the barrel is 3000 ft/lbs and still around 2000 out to 200 yds. .204 Ruger - legal to hunt deer? Yes. Ethical? you decide, but for me I keep this gun for varmints - Chris

No - Winter Archery goes through Dec. 17th (same as muzzleloader)

Great story - it reads like a Bill Heavey column out of F&S! Glad you had success this year and thanks for sharing, Chris

That's as good as it gets - great narrative! Congrats to you all! - Chris

Bucket - You didn't by any chance have this deer processed at Smith's Meat Packing in Marion did you? I happened to see a similar doe laying on the pile tonight with the biggest head I've ever seen on a deer and it looked just like yours. Thanks for sharing, Chris

Man - what a great story. Rob - this has been one of my favorite hunting posts to date. I loved your narrative, pictures and even more importantly your resilience to find your deer. These are absolutely amazing creatures with an incredible will to live. I think many folks would have given up at the lack of blood - great work on your part to keep up the search. From a medical perspective, I wonder if you didn't hit an artery or vein within the lung itself, only lung tissue, so it didn't bleed as much. Thanks for sharing - be safe and good luck in the field, Chris

Flybuster, Good luck on your retrieve. RW is nothing more than a troll - leave him alone and ignore him and it'll drive him crazy. I lost a big doe last night after my arrow was deflected and hit further back and I had liver blood and stomach contents as the arrow deflected rearward. Looked last night for a few hours and this morning for five more and nothing. She went into the thickest overgrown vineyard I've ever crawled through in my life. It's amazing how these magnificent creatures can fight to the bitter end and run and hide..... Please keep us posted - i.e. if you use one of the tracking services or if you find the deer. Good luck and please be safe in the field, Chris

Great story - thanks for sharing! That's what it's all about. Chris