The deer had just stepped out of some grass that was about chest high into an area we bushogged back in October. I have killed several nice deer with a 135" and a 140" deer on the wall, this one would have challenged both of them antler wise. I'm guessing somewhere around 18-22" wide 8 or 9 point that was pretty heavy! Without hesitation my son whispered shoot it dad!
If you didnt see it coming already this is where it gets ugly! I normally shoot a 300WSM and have no experience with a .243 on deer. Since it was his new Christmas present there was no decision as to what gun we were carrying that day. We were hunting from a enclosed two man blind that provides a very steady rest for shooting. The deer was facing us, so I waited until he gave me a quartering shot, centered the crosshairs on the point of his shoulder and squeezed the trigger. BOOM! The deer literally was knocked off of his feet! My son even said "You got him good dad he flipped!" While bolting another round the deer was kicking and struggling pretty hard and while he never regained his feet (that I could see) managed to work hiself back into the tall grass. We remained in the stand for another five or so minutes with me frantically searching the grass for any sign of the deer for a possible finishing shot. After no luck I decided to go down to where he was, hoping to find him within 50 or so yards of the initial shot(which was about 120yds).
By the time we reached the location it was almost completely dark and amazingly we could find no sign of a hit. No blood, no hair, no nothing! I took my son home (who was having a tough time keeping up the search in the tall grass) and returned with my dog in hopes he would lead me to him in the dark. The dog (black lab I duck hunt with) hit on the same trail twice that led to the proprty line. I dont know if he was following scent of a well used deer trail or if the deer had actually used it trying to get away. There was still no blood. Returned at daylight the next morning with permission to search the adjoining property, still no luck! Must have walked a total of ten miles. Needless to say I was disgusted, I have been deer hunting for over twenty years and have killed more than my share never having lost a deer. Prior to this my longest tracking job has not been over 75 yards. Any suggestions?
By the way I was shooting 95 grain Federal Fusion bullets from a .243. I shot a doe with the same combo on Monday and performance was less than good. The shot was about 85 yards hitting just behind the shoulder, the opposite shoulder was not even bruised and I couldnt find any significant pieces of the bullet. Be wary of the Fusion bullets if you are shooting at deer!!!
