Got lucky in northern Michigan

[PEARL DRUMS]

I was fortunate enough to squeeze the trigger on a northern Michigan deer. .54 cal, 80 grains of 3f and PRB. 45 yard shot. No ribs touched and no pass through. I saw a bulge on the off side and cut out the ball. I wasn’t happy about that. Where I hunt it is all pine needles, moss and lichen as you can see. I appreciate at least some blood or it gets very tough finding animals, very tough. You can’t hear them run off and/or crash down to make it more difficult. But, it worked this time and I found him.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

I was fortunate enough to squeeze the trigger on a northern Michigan deer. .54 cal, 80 grains of 3f and PRB. 45 yard shot. No ribs touched and no pass through. I saw a bulge on the off side and cut out the ball. I wasn’t happy about that. Where I hunt it is all pine needles, moss and lichen as you can see. I appreciate at least some blood or it gets very tough finding animals, very tough. You can’t hear them run off and/or crash down to make it more difficult. But, it worked this time and I found him.

GO BLUE

 

[19112tap]

Nice job! Congratulation

 

[Spikebuck]

Congrats on your buck! Fine rifle too.

Was the shot quartering away? Just asking because the entrance point looks back a bit like a shot to quarter forward to the opposite shoulder...thus more body to traverse for an exit, which might account for no pass through. If broadside, then I'm surprised that with that load and distance it didn't go through and zinging around the woods on the other side.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

Yes, he was quartering away about 20 degrees. Just got done putting him in the freezer. Interesting find was found. The ball somehow hit a rib and rolled around it perhaps. But, didn’t break it. can’t push a finger straight through the entry hole without wiggling around a rib. It’s a strange entry. The offside was stopped by the hide between the very front few ribs. No bone damage anywhere I could find.

GO BLUE! indeed, JTT.

 

[marsh trapper]

Congrats !

I was fortunate enough to squeeze the trigger on a northern Michigan deer. .54 cal, 80 grains of 3f and PRB. 45 yard shot. No ribs touched and no pass through. I saw a bulge on the off side and cut out the ball. I wasn’t happy about that. Where I hunt it is all pine needles, moss and lichen as you can see. I appreciate at least some blood or it gets very tough finding animals, very tough. You can’t hear them run off and/or crash down to make it more difficult. But, it worked this time and I found him.