- Joined
- Aug 20, 2019
- Messages
- 3,713
- Reaction score
- 7,792
Stag Sikas only weigh up to about 90-100 lbs right? I’ve never hunted them but I’ve killed a pile of similar sized big game - antelope, impala, etc. I’d say that load has more than enough thump to put one down.Curious to if neck or high shoulder shots with the woodsman. W/225gr startip w/100gr by volume BH209 is going to produce enough hydrostatic shock to disrupt the nervous system enough to anchor them .
I asked because I’m likely to find myself in a pretty inhospitable environment that will make tracking a nightmare especially while loosing light.Stag Sikas only weigh up to about 90-100 lbs right? I’ve never hunted them but I’ve killed a pile of similar sized big game - antelope, impala, etc. I’d say that load has more than enough thump to put one down.
The load you mention should give you about 1500 ft-lbs of energy at 100 yards. Should provide a 90 lb animal with plenty of “shock and awe!” Yeah, I’ve never seen anything on vital location on a Sika. If they are like African game, then the vitals would be further forward. Aim for high shoulder and the location of the heart/lungs won’t matter.
That load is more than enough for Sika deer. Live weight stag usually 80 to 100 pounds depending on age. Shoot them just as you would a whitetail, never had an issue. Only thing I can add to that is, if you’re in the swamps/ marsh shoot through the shoulders. It’s tough tracking through water and phragmites. If you happen to be in pine thickets and hardwoods, we call these land Barron sika shoot through lungs. I’ve killed a bunch with 6x45 and 85 grain bullet.
Muzzleloader killed.. Buddy of mine.
Thanks for the advice, I’m not giving up on this hunt, I just found myself investing to much time researching this hunt which is about 6 months away and not focusing on potential things to stock the freezer with in the meantime, that may allow me to put the gear I purchased for this trip into practice, I in fact purchased a peaks , duo headlamp and started using it, it truly trumps my previous headlamps, I may purchase a second as a backup.Will: Do not give up on this hunt! You are going in the right direction and you just need to get your feet on the ground. Try to find a hunting buddy/partner. You're too young to pass it up and it's not really that difficult. Mosquitos aren't unbeatable with enough deet.
If you think you need a headlight, at least get a red or green lens. But practice walking in the dark. It's not that difficult. Of course you need to go slow, especially in unfamilar terrain, and have eye protection. But you always wear eye protection when shooting, so that's no problem.
Stalking is a wonderful way to hunt. Your Patriot is perfect. It's difficult to have the patience to do it right. The best thing I can offer about stalking is to never have a destination. If you do, you'll go too fast. Don't say to yourself " I want to get up to that tree". If you do, you'll go too fast to get there. You can only walk into the wind. If the wind swirls, you've sent a cone of scent downwind.... don't go there. Sit or stand still for 20 minutes regularly. 20. A standing deer will stand in one place for 20 minutes and just watch everywhere around him. You'll see his head turn. This is something you can practice at or near home. It's a great way to see what's happening on your land.
Enter your email address to join: