30-06 JDJ (One) vs. Deer (Zero)

By: Rog

 

   November 19, 1999

 

   Friday afternoon rolled around, and Derek, my son, arrived home from school. I completed loading our gear into the truck, and we headed off to the deer hunting lease. The lease comprised 160 acres near Welling, Oklahoma, situated on a dead end road, which one does not just stumble onto, but rather goes there on purpose.

    Arriving at the lease, we unloaded our gear. Afterwards, we took a few moments to visit with the land owner. Decisions were made regarding stand sight selection, and then, exhausted from the day’s events, we crawled into our sleeping bags. Sleep did not come easy for me, as I anxiously  awaited the opening day of Oklahoma gun deer season. I wondered what events would unfold for me and my thirteen year old son. I silently sent a prayer heavenward, hoping the Good Lord would favor us the following day. Having taken only smaller racked bucks heretofore, I hoped this would be the year for a bigger version. Too, I hoped my son, Derek, would be able to put his tag on his second deer, having taken his first, a doe, last season on opening day. This year I would be hunting with my Encore 30-06 JDJ, Derek with his Contender Carbine 7-30 Waters. 

    November 20, 1999

    5:00 AM came too early for such a sleepless night. Getting dressed didn’t take long after rolling out of bed in the brisk 35 degree weather. Gulping down a quick breakfast of deer summer sausage, cheese and crackers helped subside the hunger pains that seemed to have sprung up overnight. Derek strapped on his fanny pack, and I picked up my backpack, both containing gear and snacks needed for the days hunt. Derek pickup his Contender Carbine 7-30 Waters, and I picked up my Encore handgun chambered in 30-06 JDJ. Making sure we both had ammo, we headed out for the stands.

  Dropping Derek off at his stand, I headed for mine. In the predawn darkness, I settled in, awaiting first light. After what seemed like an eternity, the sun began to peak over the eastern sky. As dawn began to break the squirrels and birds soon came to life. The sounds of the woods seemed alive and fervent. The morning rays began to spread some warmth to my chilled body.  Slowly, the morning progressed, and I soaked in the sounds of nature. I watched as the birds fluttered about and the squirrels raced up and down the trees Appreciatively, I glanced heavenward, silently thankful to surreptitiously be a part of something that was greater than I, as I  alertly took it all in.

    Suddenly, I espied movement. Was that a deer? My senses keen, I watched carefully, as the movement took the form of a deer. Not one, but two deer. Was it a buck? Careful study revealed no antlers on either of the two deer. The deer, coming from the north, were headed directly towards me. Quickly thinking, I decided to take one of the deer if the opportunity presented itself, since it was a designated antlerless day, and my lifetime hunting license afforded me to be able to take either antlered or antlerless. I would still be able to get a buck later, should the occasion arise. As the deer continued, they veered slightly towards the east, now heading in a southeasterly direction. I carefully tried to position myself for a shot. Shifting my feet, I brushed  some leaves that I had failed to moved in the early predawn darkness as I’d set up on the ground. Hearing the noise, both deer stopped and attentively tried to locate and identify the origin of the sound. Having frozen my movements, I waited. Soon, the deer, satisfied that no danger presented itself, continued their path. I raised my Encore and looked both deer over. I decided to take the lead deer. Both seemed similar in size, with no visible antlers. Placing my Leupold 2.5x-8 scope on the deer, I attempted to get a steady hold. I braced my right forearm on the trunk of the tree I’d earlier been leaning against, and held the barrel/forearm of the Encore to steady my hold. With my left hand, I thumbed the hammer back and after getting a good sight picture, I began to squeeze the trigger when cross hairs became steady. 

    As the deer, about 60 or 70 yards away, cleared a bush with its vital area I held on the shoulder, since the deer was slightly quartering towards me. I squeezed off the shot. Barely hearing the roar of the gun, or noticing the recoil, I hurriedly watched the deer to see what reaction, if any, it exhibited. At the shot, the deer lunged and took off running, favoring a front leg. Satisfied I’d made a good hit, I hurriedly noted the path the second deer had taken. I hoped my son was alert, because the second deer had ran his direction. Within seconds, I heard my son shoot, expunging any fear that Derek had dozed off, or wasn’t alert.

   With all these thoughts racing through my mind, I turned my attention back to the deer I’d shot. Within seconds of my shot, the animal covered perhaps forty yards or so, and finally went down, actually closer to me now than when I’d shot. In the moments after, the emotions that went through me are near indescribable. Sadness for a magnificent animal, and elation for having successfully harvested one of the greatest game animals. I again turned a glance towards heaven, silently thanking the powers that be for showing favor upon me. As I contemplated whether to go check on Derek, or to first go check on my deer, I glanced to my right. Coming through the woods, was Derek. Walking with a confident step, his whole demeanor indicated his shot had been successful. I asked him if he’d hit the deer. His response was positive. Was he sure it was a good hit? Yes, he’d seen it go down.

    I sent Derek to retrieve his deer while I went to check on mine. After checking on  mine and pulling it to a location that it could be loaded, I went to assist my son with his. After loading his, we went to retrieve my deer. My son insisted on pulling my deer over to be loaded, so I let him.  

   I extended a hand of congratulations to my son for his second deer, which had turned out to be a button buck, as did mine. Ten minutes seemed to pass as I talked with my son about the turn of events that had just taken place. I do believe it will be a moment cherished forever. This year was  particularly special for me, since last year’s work schedule prevented me from going on the day my son got his first, as he’d went with his uncle.

   The guns and loads performed to perfection. Derek used the 7-30 Waters as mention, and I used  the 30-06 JDJ. Both loads were handloads. The 7-30 consisted of the Sierra 130 SSP bullet loaded to approximately 2400+ fps (I have yet to chrono this load). I loaded this bullet at less than max in order to reduce the recoil, since my son started using this gun when he was 12 yrs. old. This is the same load he used last year to take his first deer. Bullet expansion seems to be good, with complete penetration on both deer. The bullet has left about quarter size exit holes, with good blood trails. However, blood trails were not needed as the first deer went only about 15 yards after being hit, and this years deer was similar. The first deer was shot broad side at 35    yards, with a double lung, heart shot. The second, was slightly quartering away at about 40-45  yards, with the liver being hit, and both lungs.

    The 30-06 JDJ was loaded with the Combined Technology 168 BST loaded to a solid 2700 fps. The bullet did significant tissue destruction to the shoulder, heart and lungs. The blood trail left  behind over the ~40 yards the deer traveled was about 1-1 1/2 feet wide. The bullet completely penetrated, leaving a silver dollar sized exit hole.

    I will be back again later in the week, looking for a good buck. I will again be taking the 30-06 JDJ   Encore.

 Regards,

   Rog