The hinds looked fine; however, his intestines had black lines running throughout, the lungs were dark colored and as stated the inside looked and smelled horrid. I felt it best to be prudent and limit our exposure.
My son shot a deer similarly hit with a crossbow bolt sticking out of the same location but at a lower trajectory. When I skinned the deer the top of the back straps and right shoulder had major puss infestation. When I open him up it was a horrible smell. That deer got buried. I had a friend...
Check out this link to Randy Wakeman's site; he has many reviews for shotguns and I believe you would be pleased with (all autos) either the Franchi Affinity (made at benelli's factory), Mossberg 930 (all the rage now in 3 gun comp. -it just flat out functions) and the Weatherby SA-8 (a Turkish...
I generally quarter, take the straps, tenderloins, neck and rib meat and pack back to the truck. I keep a 5' folding plastic table in the truck where I bone out the quarters and trim the rest and throw in coolers. I have had goats and mulies on ice like this for up to 5 days with never a...
Unfortunately, your experience is not unique. Butler Creek's quality has taken a significant drop. There is quite a bit of discussion on the optics forums concerning what you have experienced.
The PBS series Nature had a most unusual program on Mule Deer that I highly recommend.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/
Take the link to the home page and look for "Touching the Wild". This is a 50 minute documentary about mule deer society captured in a somewhat controversial method. As a...
Take a look at the Drahthaar, similar to the GWP with a stricter breeding standard. I have hunted around both breeds for 15+ yrs and have owned 2 drahts, currently have a 4 yr old male. Both of my dogs have been incredible family dogs. My male dog goes everywhere with me. Strong hunters, very...
Wow, you did well. I am east of you near the Pa. - W.V. line. Hope to get into some this weekend taking my son out for youth turkey. How are the ash trees looking down your way? Probably 80%+ in my area are infected by the emerald ash borer. Doesn't look good for the ash population.