As I prepare to hunt deer in northern Maine, I can’t help but notice many use pump rifles. Why? If its to get off a second or third shot at a running deer, I agree it is fast, …If practiced. Same with lever and bolt guns if practiced. But how do you practice on a running deer? For me, with perhaps some difficulty at my club. They would not allow it for safety reasons.

My strategy, is to practice at home using Snap-Caps to practice loading, squeezing the trigger, jacking a new round in and getting the second shot off and training regularly before and during the season. 

I have never tracked a deer in snow for miles. Most of my life has been still hunting or stand hunting.  Deer often fall to my rifle or shotgun on the first shot. But there are times for a fast second shot or even a third. 

Accordingly, today, with my Ruger Marlin 45-70, lever a second round while the rifle is at or close to my cheek. And only take the second shot if the buck stumbles and I can get back on target. 

Decades ago, my first big buck, a dandy 8 point was being followed by my nephew some distance away. The buck ran away from him and quartering toward me. I raised my .270 Savage bolt rifle and fired. The bullet went low just under the chest and struck and busted the far leg. The buck thinking danger came from the side with the broken leg, wheeled toward and directly at me. I worked the bolt and shot, still coming, shot again and again till a round struck the spine, which put him down for good. I approached with an empty gun, but the buck never moved after touching his eye with my rifle barrel. Call me lucky. 

Below this big 11 point Texas buck was taken at 80 yards with one shot from my TC Encore Muzzle Loader. The shot was text book. He fell DRT. Can’t get any better…

Good Hunting