2024 Deer Season

[Tra3]

Ha! I’m a fan of suppressors for deer hunting. And I was born before 1980. Get a short can on a shorter barreled rifle and it works great.
I’ve found my rifles shoot well with a suppressor (R8’s). I’ve also found that newer hunters shoot better when it isn’t so loud. I also shoot better when the rifle is quieter.
To each his own.
Unfortunately, it is expensive and (was) slow to get a suppressor, so it was a commitment to decide to start using them. After a variety of suppressors (7!) I’ve found combos that I really like. Hearing safe? Maybe. Less harmful to hearing? Absolutely. I’ve got some family members who have hearing aids and I’d hope to avoid needing them.

As for deer season, 6 thus far in my small group of hunters 7 deer total if you count the one that totaled a jeep Cherokee next to my property which I took home and salvaged some of the meat.

 

[matt2H]

Managed to get on the board in Northern Texas this past weekend. Freezer thankfully has some meat in it now

 

[HankBuck]

Nope, 1960.

@WAB - well then looks like “I AM THE PROBLEM” - I must just be too OLD to accept that things “change” and sometimes for the “better” (lucky I’m Not Hunting with a black powder muzzleloader!). Guess you are more open minded then me (most people are) also maybe my hard-of-hearing might be a clue that I know little about Supressors….but I do hate the look of them on a Hunting Rifle.

 

[WAB]

@WAB - well then looks like “I AM THE PROBLEM” - I must just be too OLD to accept that things “change” and sometimes for the “better” (lucky I’m Not Hunting with a black powder muzzleloader!). Guess you are more open minded then me (most people are) also maybe my hard-of-hearing might be a clue that I know little about Supressors….but I do hate the look of them on a Hunting Rifle.

Don’t misunderstand my post. Most of my deer hunting this year will be with a Renner customized No 1 in .275 using a ghost ring rear. However, when I am shooting across a windy canyon at a small target, I use every advantage I can get!

 

[Zinz]

Sheesh… look at this ancient 6 point in my brother’s side yard in Lakeway, Texas. Obviously no hunting within the city limits and there are big bucks everywhere. This is a big 6, though. Looks to be either blind in his right eye, or at least has something wrong.

 

[WAB]

Now there is a valid use for a suppressor when deer hunting!!!!

 

[CZDiesel]

Two of my great friends that I’ve know for over 30 years just took these two bucks today in Michigan!

 

[HankBuck]

Two of my great friends that I’ve know for over 30 years just took these two bucks today in Michigan!View attachment 652435View attachment 652441

@CZDiesel - some very nice bucks and looks like a great cold weather hunt. Was this at “The Sanctuary” ? My friend lives near that area and has gone twice.

 

[Sideshow]

From my trip to Texas. Thoroughly enjoyed taking this doe was offered a 10 point buck but since I could not take him with me and they needed help with doe numbers this one fit the bill. Nice to now have taken whitetail in both the US and NZ

 

[Sideshow]

Here’s a grainy pic of the buck.

 

[Sideshow]

 

[wesheltonj]

You could have taken the 10 pointer and donate it to "Hunters for the Hungry." They would have been fine with you taking the Horns and Cape. Maybe next time your in Texas.

Hunters for the Hungry

www.feedingtexas.org

 

[Sideshow]

Thanks for the heads up @wesheltonj if I ever get the opportunity again I’ll definitely look into that.
The doe culled did not go to waste.

 

[CZDiesel]

@CZDiesel - some very nice bucks and looks like a great cold weather hunt. Was this at “The Sanctuary” ? My friend lives near that area and has gone twice.

No this was private land located about 50 miles from The Sanctuary

 

[Rickmt]

I like suppressed shooting too and was born in 1956. Hank Buck have you tried a suppressed gun ? Put a 5 inch Thunderbeast can on a 22inch barrel and you have a sweet shooting rig . Accuracy, recoil , sound reduction are all improved.

 

[HankBuck]

No this was private land located about 50 miles from The Sanctuary

@CZDiesel - damn…now I want to move the Michigan ! To take two bucks that good, same area, same day, and Not in a high fence is a rare feat, a memorable day for sure!

 

[HankBuck]

I like suppressed shooting too and was born in 1956. Hank Buck have you tried a suppressed gun ? Put a 5 inch Thunderbeast can on a 22inch barrel and you have a sweet shooting rig . Accuracy, recoil , sound reduction are all improved.

@Rickmt - YES I’ve tried them and been around others that used them too. For a .22LR with subsonic ammo they are amazing and fun. AND I agree with you that I “like shooting them”….just not interested in hunting with one for most circumstances and Hate the look of them on most rifles, clumsy & awkward ‘soup can’ on an otherwise graceful rifle. Also, For center fire rifles, even in .223, it is still very loud and I keep hearing protection on or plugs in. For hunting situations, maybe night hunting predators or close to neighbors homes a suppressor helps with that - nobody overly disturbed by a very loud “bang”, No calls into local Police etc… but they’ll still hear a Bang because Supressors are Not “silent” and not even close to silent on center fire rifles. I don’t feel Supressors are ever “needed” to hunt but if people like hunting with them that explains their recent popularity. As far as not disturbing game animals as much with a suppressor - likely true in some situations but doubtful it matters too much because your First Shot is usually the important one and if you “hit” you might be done. Will a suppressed rifle keep the rest of the herd of Elk from running off? - Maybe but I’m not sure. Also, on the other end - I’ve missed deer with .30-06 at 40 yrds and it just stood there looking in my direction until I killed him with a 2nd shot - and my rifle was Not suppressed,..and their hearing is incredible. Years later, I also missed out on a chance at a good bear over bait because it was dead-calm-quiet and he heard the “click” when I “cocked the hammer” on my Marlin .45-70 (bear ran as “if” I had taken a shot). Animals hearing never misses anything we can hear but their “reaction” can vary and less noise does not always mean they will stick around. You were born in 1956 and may be more “progressive & open minded then Me - most people are”!

 

[steve white]

Hankbuck, could you not have pulled the trigger, pulled the hammer back while still holding the trigger in, then let the trigger out, thus silently cocking the rifle?

 

[Sideshow]

I find hunting with a suppressor that if there are a bank of trees behind the animals they may run towards you after the first shot. They definitely seem to get more confused in my experience. That’s fallow, roe & red deer. If there’s been little hunting pressure you can usually get in a second shot. Just never store your rifle with the suppressor attached it will rot your barrel out faster hot pee through snow

Here’s a few pics of when I’ve had deer come straight at me after the first shot

Just never store your rifle with the suppressor attached it will rot your barrel out faster hot pee through snow

 

[TXhunter65]

First mule deer, West Texas.