First Deer Ever via Redhawk .41 magnum

[NewRuger41]

So I am a little old maybe to start deer hunting as I'm real close to 50, but I went hunting once two years back and went home with nothing more than a bullet to put in the freezer. I spent nearly two years learning about whitetail deer through books and online resources in addition to walking various terrain and woods looking for deer indicators. I also spent a good bit of time cycling rounds through a Ruger Redhawk chambered in .41 magnum - standing, kneeling, prone, stationary targets, moving targets, and targets that would move unpredictably (balloons blowing in breeze).

In December of 2021 I spent two days scouting 100 acres of land identifying scrapes, rubs, poop, etc. Then Sunday morning 5:15 AM I headed out in the cold, still dark morning air. The crunch of the frosted leaves sounded so amplified in the dead stillness of the forest. I reached the area I decided to post up and wait for a deer to come down a trail around 6:20 AM. Let the wait begin!

Dawn light broke around 6:52 AM. At 7:15AM I saw a buck coming down the trail toward me. At 7:20 AM I took my shot and dropped my first deer ever - an 8 pt. buck at about 20 yards via Ruger Redhawk in .41 magnum. Clean shot, entered, did not exit, buck dropped nearly instantly. I stood there watching him for 15 minutes my head racing with many diverse thoughts. It was important to me to harvest a deer using a revolver with iron sights off hand as I wanted to get up close and personal with my quarry.

I learned how to cape a deer and cut it up to take home to debone and make further cuts of meat to fill our freezer after soaking in an icewater salt bath for 3 days (draining and refilling each day) from a good friend who owned the land. This process, including making the cuts later at home, was just as rewarding for me as harvesting the deer. Every meal made since then that has included the deer meat has been delicious.

 

[Gator89]

Congratulations. You are hooked for life now.

 

[Mobuck]

Good for you. I killed my first deer well over 1/2 century ago and still look forward to the next season.

 

[GRAMPS 51]

Congratulations that is awesome i have killed more than my share of deer over the years with a bow crossbow muzzleloader and rifle but never with a handgun im always afraid i will see a big buck just out of handgun range i just got to start carrying both when i go

Gramps

 

[catfish621]

Congratulations. In my opinion there is no need to soak the meat. If it's cold enough I let the deer hang for couple days to age then skin and cut up.

 

[contender]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

You are never too old to start something new like this. And to do it with a handgun,, is the sign of a true hunter. One clean, well placed shot says it all.

As noted above,, I too have taken many, many whitetails over several decades. Yet, I still look forward to deer hunting,, and I too have only used a handgun for a long time.

Gramps 51,, leave the rifle at home,, and if a big buck is seen too far out,,, you'll know it wasn't meant to be. But if he comes in close enough to make a clean shot,, you'll truly enjoy the handgun hunt!

 

[NewRuger41]

Congratulations. You are hooked for life now.

Yes, Sir. I am old school in many ways, and hunting via scouting, tracking, blending, and being so close to my quarry I thought about yelling "BOO!" Instead of taking the shot was indeed a fulfilling endeavor.

Good for you. I killed my first deer well over 1/2 century ago and still look forward to the next season.

That is awesome to hear. Still looking forward to it after so many years. I am preparing for turkey season now, and putting in place action items to prepare for Autumn deer season.

Congratulations that is awesome i have killed more than my share of deer over the years with a bow crossbow muzzleloader and rifle but never with a handgun im always afraid i will see a big buck just out of handgun range i just got to start carrying both when i go

Gramps

Well I imagine if you are within range using a bow you can swap out to a revolver. Unless of course bow hunters have an early start where you hunt and your bow choice is by design. A compound bow is on my list because I want to harvest a deer using a bow once I feel I have gained enough competency with the bow. I also want to be able to hunt in the first wave here when bow gets first start before modern firearms. LOL

Congratulations. In my opinion there is no need to soak the meat. If it's cold enough I let the deer hang for couple days to age then skin and cut up.

Thank you. My mate who has helped me learn about whitetail deer and hunting gave me options on processing the meat and I chose the ice water salt soak. It was cold enough (air temp) but only for 1-2 days.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

You are never too old to start something new like this. And to do it with a handgun,, is the sign of a true hunter. One clean, well placed shot says it all.

As noted above,, I too have taken many, many whitetails over several decades. Yet, I still look forward to deer hunting,, and I too have only used a handgun for a long time.

Gramps 51,, leave the rifle at home,, and if a big buck is seen too far out,,, you'll know it wasn't meant to be. But if he comes in close enough to make a clean shot,, you'll truly enjoy the handgun hunt!

Thank you again. I definitely felt proud to have harvested my first deer off hand so close with a revolver. My mates who were also hunting have hunted all of their lives and never with a revolver only scoped rifles. They gave me props for being determined over the 3 day weekend and succeeding in my goal.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Fine looking deer, congratulations!

 

[NewRuger41]

Fine looking deer, congratulations!

Thank you! I watched him come up the trail toward my position and wondered if the shot presented itself would I take it? I watched him interact with a grey squirrel close to my position and then I took my shot.

 

[mjh]

That's the way to do it! I primarily bowhunt for deer. But have thought about going the handgun route. You done good, before--during--and after. Enjoy telling the story and the meals.

 

[NewRuger41]

That's the way to do it! I primarily bowhunt for deer. But have thought about going the handgun route. You done good, before--during--and after. Enjoy telling the story and the meals.

I will one day bowhunt. It is on my TODO list for this year. But only if I feel 100% with my bow (that I haven't bought yet).

Yes the meals are tasty indeed. Better each time as I am more accustomed to cooking deer.

 

[Rumrunner]

Great job. Congrats!!

 

[Markbo]

Question... did you shoot that deer in the ear?

 

[beentheredone]

Congratulations. In my opinion there is no need to soak the meat. If it's cold enough I let the deer hang for couple days to age then skin and cut up.

Amen.

 

[Diabloman]

So I am a little old maybe to start deer hunting as I'm real close to 50, but I went hunting once two years back and went home with nothing more than a bullet to put in the freezer. I spent nearly two years learning about whitetail deer through books and online resources in addition to walking various terrain and woods looking for deer indicators. I also spent a good bit of time cycling rounds through a Ruger Redhawk chambered in .41 magnum - standing, kneeling, prone, stationary targets, moving targets, and targets that would move unpredictably (balloons blowing in breeze).

In December of 2021 I spent two days scouting 100 acres of land identifying scrapes, rubs, poop, etc. Then Sunday morning 5:15 AM I headed out in the cold, still dark morning air. The crunch of the frosted leaves sounded so amplified in the dead stillness of the forest. I reached the area I decided to post up and wait for a deer to come down a trail around 6:20 AM. Let the wait begin!

Dawn light broke around 6:52 AM. At 7:15AM I saw a buck coming down the trail toward me. At 7:20 AM I took my shot and dropped my first deer ever - an 8 pt. buck at about 20 yards via Ruger Redhawk in .41 magnum. Clean shot, entered, did not exit, buck dropped nearly instantly. I stood there watching him for 15 minutes my head racing with many diverse thoughts. It was important to me to harvest a deer using a revolver with iron sights off hand as I wanted to get up close and personal with my quarry.

I learned how to cape a deer and cut it up to take home to debone and make further cuts of meat to fill our freezer after soaking in an icewater salt bath for 3 days (draining and refilling each day) from a good friend who owned the land. This process, including making the cuts later at home, was just as rewarding for me as harvesting the deer. Every meal made since then that has included the deer meat has been delicious.

GREAT POST! CONGRATS....! TRY THE BACKSTRAP MADE LIKE SWISS STEAK.....YUM! THE .41 MAG IS ALSO MY CHOICE. RUGER SUPER BHK! GOOD HUNTING!

 

[M77-375LH]

Way to go , that will be good eating , congrats
Wish we could hunt with handguns in Alberta

 

[NewRuger41]

Question... did you shoot that deer in the ear?

Correct. Projectile entered left ear canal and traveled into the brain where it stopped.

 

[badguybuster]

Helluva shot!!!

 

[NewRuger41]

Helluva shot!!!

Thank you. I had time to consider and weigh shot placement as the buck and squirrel shared a moment. I didn't want to injure the buck, nor ruin good meat, nor damage what I wanted as a mount, etc. I considered the boiler room area, and then the buck turned his head slightly to the left which presented me a shot from behind maybe 7 o'clock position direct to the brain through the ear canal. I was already holding my ready position, revolver at ready, so a squeeze of the trigger and in less than one half of one second it was done.

 

[JStacy]

what bullet did you use that did not exit? You treated you pistol like a loud bow , good conservative use of it ! More people should practice marksmanship and patience for better hunts!