How close to opening day would you sight in?
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mcb
Member
One other thing to consider beyond spooking (or not) the deer is have you shot you deer rifle in condition representative of the hunting conditions you will be hunting in. Sighting in your deer rifle near sea level and/or on a hot day is going to potentially have a different zero then higher altitude and/or colder temperatures. Both due to difference in exterior ballistics do to varied atmospheric conditions and temperature sensitivity of the the propellant you are using. This is not a guaranteed issue depending on how much things are changing and the ranges you are shooting over, but one you should think about and address if it could be an issue.
ie my 450 Bushmaster load lost nearly 80fps going from 95 deg summer day to a 60 deg day. Not an issue at 50 yards but at 250 yards it might have been.
ie my 450 Bushmaster load lost nearly 80fps going from 95 deg summer day to a 60 deg day. Not an issue at 50 yards but at 250 yards it might have been.
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stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
I try and fervour yo shoot at least once a week, doesn't always happen, but I try. This covid bs really cut into my range time. Even so I managed to get all my rifles ready for the season.
Last season I had a 7 point less than 5 yds from me, still hunting, moving to where I was going to sit for a while. Looked left and there he was, we stood looking at each other for quite a while, knowing that it's moved I was busted. Decided to start walking and he ran off, but not far, after 15 or 20 min I heard him pawing for acorns and proceeded to my post. A half an hour later he poked his head under a pine tree, almost looking at me, he was unaware of my presence, and took a 140 nbt from my 7mm08.
JJFitch
Member
Sighting in a few weeks before opening day might be a good idea if:
You discover your mounts are loose and discover your zero is off after retorquing!
You discover your reticle is loose inside your scope and won't hold zero! Quick trip to Cabella's for a new scope!
You discover your scope is loose in the rings and moves as your trying to sight in. Requires 5 rounds to sight in after retorquing!
You discover the guy sold you the wrong 30 caliber ammo. Who knew there are about a dozen cartridges in "30 cal" and the store won't allow returns on ammo!!
The rifle and scope combo you just bought won't zero because the rings are for a different rifle! Back to WalMart!
Yeah, stuff that comes up when we have "open range day" for the public to sight in rifles prior to opening day. We have trained R/O's on hand to help out and tools for fixin' stuff!
Smiles,
You discover your mounts are loose and discover your zero is off after retorquing!
You discover your reticle is loose inside your scope and won't hold zero! Quick trip to Cabella's for a new scope!
You discover your scope is loose in the rings and moves as your trying to sight in. Requires 5 rounds to sight in after retorquing!
You discover the guy sold you the wrong 30 caliber ammo. Who knew there are about a dozen cartridges in "30 cal" and the store won't allow returns on ammo!!
The rifle and scope combo you just bought won't zero because the rings are for a different rifle! Back to WalMart!
Yeah, stuff that comes up when we have "open range day" for the public to sight in rifles prior to opening day. We have trained R/O's on hand to help out and tools for fixin' stuff!
Smiles,
sage5907
Member
If you're a meat hunter shooting where you hunt may not make any difference. But, some people who dream about taking a trophy animal hunt their entire lives and can't figure out why it never happens. Where I hunt any kind of unusual activity will move the deer. Shooting, chain saws, loud motors and human voices can clear the area of all mature deer. Wild animal don't have an anchor, they think with their feet and they know how to hide. A buck deer that stays alive for 5 or 6 years knows more about humans than they know about him. If it wasn't for game cameras most hunters wouldn't even know the big bucks were around.
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Definitely no trophy animals here. Compared to the pics I see on this site our deer don’t get too large. If presented with a choice I pick the largest which is probably the oldest of the group and usually a doe and take that. I figure if I’m going to spend my time butchering I want it to be worth my while 
Fine Figure of a Man
Member
If this were true there would be very few mature deer in the state of Iowa.
Don't be too sure of that. Many trophy deer go mostly unseen until they are killed.
Patocazador
Member
I have sighted (re-sighted) on the day of the start of the hunt. It's almost mandatory when you fly from the hot and humid South at sea level to the Rockies at 10,000' + and no humidity.
Sistema1927
Member
Opening Day.
Isn't that why they put road signs next to the highway?
Isn't that why they put road signs next to the highway?
My wife shot one deer while another was bedded down 20 yards away. It stayed bed down for about 40 minutes.
Granted this was a yearling. Not an old buck...
Daveboone
Member
Dont know about anyone else, but I know darn well I will be deer hunting in the fall and make sure it is sighted in well way beforehand...generally my main rifles dont need anything from year to year, shooting my own handloads.
Same goes for the guys scurrying around trying to find ammo the week before. Really? they didnt know they were going to hunt, to keep a supply?
Same goes for the guys scurrying around trying to find ammo the week before. Really? they didnt know they were going to hunt, to keep a supply?
Right. So as I said above:
This is my father in laws rifle that I already sighted in with a 150gr factory load that I didn’t realize is no longer in production. I eventually found a replacement that is 200gr. I don’t have control on the availability of ammo and when I can get it in my hands. Would you use that cartridge without sighting it in?
Hokkmike
Member
Saw a guy at a local gun store. He had just bought a new bolt action rifle and scope. It was evening and DARK outside. His last comment to the seller that I heard was, "Going out for deer in the morning. Can you mount the scope and bore sight it for me?"... This. is a TRUE story.....
Highland Lofts
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Our deer season opens up in six & a half hours here in New York.
Yesterday afternoon there were gun shots all around from people sighting in thier guns.
Why wait until the day before to shoot your gun. If you are that unprepared I bet you haven't done any scouting for deer sign or put out any trail cams.
I can't figure that out for the life of me. Every one knows when deer season opens and you have a whole year to get prepared for it but laziness takes over and they procastrate it.
I can't hunt with people like that.
Like that post about a guy buying the gun & scope and wanted it bore sighted. Come on hive me and the deer a break, go buy a club to use or a spear.
Actually just stay home and wait until.next year and prepare for it.
Yesterday afternoon there were gun shots all around from people sighting in thier guns.
Why wait until the day before to shoot your gun. If you are that unprepared I bet you haven't done any scouting for deer sign or put out any trail cams.
I can't figure that out for the life of me. Every one knows when deer season opens and you have a whole year to get prepared for it but laziness takes over and they procastrate it.
I can't hunt with people like that.
Like that post about a guy buying the gun & scope and wanted it bore sighted. Come on hive me and the deer a break, go buy a club to use or a spear.
Actually just stay home and wait until.next year and prepare for it.
Daveboone
Member
NO. I am pretty....anal about such things. I reload my own for almost everything, so usually dont have to worry about that, but for the few rifles I dont, I wont even hunt without resighting...at least confirming shots at the range, for ammo from a different batch that the gun was sighted in with, not to even mention a different weight. I owe the deer/ critter that much to be sure I know that I can take it cleanly.
Sorry about late reply, worked through the week end and was busy....
I have range on my property and shoot lots in the fall and have shot couple days before or less. I would rather know rifle is good.
I can't prove what goes through a deer's mind or if it scared off bigger deer. But I am not overly worried. Seen plenty of does, not even flinch at gun shots in distance. I am not really sure they care at all, unless extremely close.
I can't prove what goes through a deer's mind or if it scared off bigger deer. But I am not overly worried. Seen plenty of does, not even flinch at gun shots in distance. I am not really sure they care at all, unless extremely close.
Unless they are doing it to screw with your hunting, which is hunting harassment, it is their property. This discussion came up at camp, can be heated topic. I don't like it. But I lean hard to property rights. Don;t like it you should buy somewhere else.
243winxb
Member
At 2 different clubs, i had deer walk across the range while shooting.
In 3 days our buck season opens, Sat.. The gun club was very busy today. Many wait till the last minute.
Years ago- Nephew calls. Needs to sight in rifle. Its the night before opening day & its dark out. Wants to get flash light to see target.
Another time - A customer needed a box of 300 Weatherby Magnum ammo.
He had sent wife out to get a box the week before. He opens the package the evening before the season opens.
There is his ammo, a box of 300 Winchester Magnum ammo.
In 3 days our buck season opens, Sat.. The gun club was very busy today. Many wait till the last minute.
Years ago- Nephew calls. Needs to sight in rifle. Its the night before opening day & its dark out. Wants to get flash light to see target.
Another time - A customer needed a box of 300 Weatherby Magnum ammo.
He had sent wife
out to get a box the week before. He opens the package the evening before the season opens.There is his ammo, a box of 300 Winchester Magnum ammo.
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