2024 CO Mule Deer w/7mm-08 Fusion 120gr

[KHNC]

Colorado 4th season from 11/22/2025. Glassed for hours and hours. Looked at a bunch of 1-3 yo bucks and does. Rut activity was pretty much wide open. Finally found a mature 4pt. After the winter kill of 2022, I was glad to see the amount of deer in the area, especially the young bucks. Next year will be promising if it continues like this.
Shot this buck at 309yds with a 7-08 Fed Fusion 120gr factory load. Hit the buck quartering to in point of left shoulder. Penetrated all the way to the right rear femur. Disintegrated the femur completely for several inches of bone. Bullet appears to be fully intact. I was impressed by the penetration. The buck actually stood a bit after impact somehow. I put a second round in him just to be sure he was down. Lost a bit of meat with the two rounds. Didnt really need the second but i wasnt taking a chance! First muley hunt for me since 2016. Forgot how fun they are to rifle hunt. Hadnt done that since 2014 either.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

Congrats nice buck,
Just remember that orange is not legal in CO, depending on the warden they can hammer you big time, had a buddy get hit for a hat this year $180 fine.


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[CHIEF CRNA]

Was he chasing a bunch of Does? Trying to figure out for future draws based on their rut.

Like Big said, they really are particular on that orange. Even though you can see it just as well.

 

[bakyrd831]

Love the 708

 

[KHNC]

Was he chasing a bunch of Does? Trying to figure out for future draws based on their rut.

Like Big said, they really are particular on that orange. Even though you can see it just as well.

No worries on the orange. The vest is reversible . SOLID ORANGE on the other side. I flipped for the pic, since it was all Kryptek and i wanted to enter it into the contest. As for the hat, i was wearing my solid orange vortex beanie as well. All solid when i was actually hunting.

Yes, this buck was nose deep on a doe when i found him.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Nice buck!

 

[hunthikecamp]

Congrats, that's an awesome buck! Couldn't agree more on the second shot. Similar thing happened to me this year, first shot broadside likely would have done it but I could still see him after 30 yards or so when he stopped and stood, so I put a second one in him. Lost some meat with it being a slightly quartering shot but the mental relief of seeing him hit the ground was worth every bit I lost.