The 10 point Ozark Mountain buck as I found him. He seemed to be glowing in the morning sun. What a blessing. If you look at the shoulder, you'll see where the .54 caliber ball hit. It was right behind the leg, almost exactly halfway up and the ball exited the far side. The deer never left a drop of blood for about 70 yards. Guys, don't give up quickly just because you don't find blood soon. He was tricky to track in the rocky, leafy terrain, but I just patiently followed up his trail and eventually found sign. The shot was about 60 yards and he was heading away, no time to delay.
What a beautiful, symmetrical rack he has. Note that red forehead! Look at those white swirls coming over his lower shoulder. This buck is just plain beautiful. I measured his neck under his chin and it came out to 21 inches. I spent half a day caping him out for the taxidermist and he's going to be mounted, along with the 13 point taken last Saturday. Both were taken with the same gun from the same ground blind..
I am just happy to be lucky. If skill happens to intrude so much the better, but to have two bucks come through in the same week, in Arkansas with it's rough, rugged terrain and me actually be there and make the shots is truly humbling. I'm 6'3' and 200 lbs, so you can get an idea of this deer's spread. I just love this little .54 caliber English Game gun. I had to make two quick shots at two different bucks, one at 23 yards and one at 60 yards and both went true.