7x57 Mauser Doe

Zee

Hunting season opened a month ago but, it’s been too darn hot. Finally cooled off a little and I went out this morning after a particular doe. 

Skinny Girl. 

I’ve posted about her and have enumerate pics of her haunting the corn and protein feeders. 

I didn’t know what was wrong with her but something was. 

Didn’t see her this morning so went back out this afternoon. 

She showed up much further than her normal haunt would suggest. But, she turned and veered back up to her normal haunt. 

Coming up the sendaro, there were several bucks and a couple does eating corn. When she caught up, the bullying commenced. None of the other deer would let her eat. As if they knew something was wrong. Every time she got on corn, someone would horn or kick her and chase her off. 

After several attempts, I finally forced the issue. She was trying to eat with the rest and a buck horned her from the back. She jumped and headed for the brush. Broadside, I told my boy I was ready, as she cleared a tree beach enroute to the brush, I sent a 168gr Berger H-VLD across something over 100 yards and into the middle of her ribs. Quartering forward. 

She mule kicked and everyone ELD scattered. Feeling good about the shot, we gathered lights in the failing sun and headed to the impact point. She made about a 35 yard semi-circle and collapsed  near the sendaro where she had started. 

My boy aided in the hunt and recovery. Trailing with me through the cactus and thorns. 

He did very well in the sharp environment.

Bleeding well.......

 

She hurdled cactus in a vain attempt to thwart her attacker. 

But Death would not be cheated and she succumbed to her wound. 

 

A fun hunt and a necessary endeavor. 

Entrance

Exit

Zee

The round entered behind the off shoulder as she walked. Passing through the back of the on side lung, it expanded and motives forward. Devastating what in its path. 

 

Zee

Looking in her stomach and heart, I could not find the cause of their ailment. But the round worked. 

Zee

Forum is acting up and can’t load more pics. Will try later. 

Zee

Though I shot her, the boy was with me the whole way and shared a part in this endeavor. 

earlyagain

That rifle is sexy.

Take the boy's lead and put some shoes on when tramping after deer through the cactus. 

bullsi1911

That thing blew a train tunnel through that deer. Dang.

Great hunt!  Congrats!!

Big Al1

The 7x57 makes it so easy you can hunt bare foot!! WOW! Quite a hole from such an old, obsolete rifle!! Would still like to see what a 175 grain RN would do!!

Zee

earlyagain said:

That rifle is sexy.

Take the boy's lead and put some shoes on when tramping after deer through the cactus. 

I wore flip-flops for the tracking. Got quite a few black brush thorns in my feet for the endeavor. 

I butcher barefoot as to not get blood all over my shoes. 

Zee

bullsi1911 said:

That thing blew a train tunnel through that deer. Dang.

Great hunt!  Congrats!!

Yeah. I’m quite impressed. 

I’ve had other caliber Berger Bullets just pencil through without expansion. This one seems to have done its job. 

Zee

Big Al1 said:

The 7x57 makes it so easy you can hunt bare foot!! WOW! Quite a hole from such an old, obsolete rifle!! Would still like to see what a 175 grain RN would do!!

I haven’t been able to find any. 

Zee

Last game camera pic of “Skinny Girl”. 

Bigslug

Nice cull Amigo.  Sounds like you gave her what she needed.

Diver43

Nice job.  I am sure her spirit thanks you.
Knowing she was ill, will you be sending out samples or anything?

Ernie Bishop

She was sure skinny, and the bullet wiped out everything in it's path!

You and your footwear or lack of it...

Zee

Diver43 said:

Nice job.  I am sure her spirit thanks you.
Knowing she was ill, will you be sending out samples or anything?

Can’t figure out what was wrong with her. She was mature but not old. Opened her stomach and heart looking for worms and there weren’t any. Her belly was full of food but she was was a skeleton. 

Don’t understand what was wrong. 

There is another buck on the ranch that looks similar. 

RugerFan

Could it be CWD? 

Zee

RugerFan said:

Could it be CWD? 

I don’t think she would have lasted this long. I’ve been getting pics of her for months as she slowly. digressed. 

CHIRO1989

Ask the local conservation officers about the skinny deer. Any reservations about eating her?

Zee

CHIRO1989 said:

Ask the local conservation officers about the skinny deer. Any reservations about eating her?

I ain’t gonna eat her. She’s in a cooler right now. Trying to decide. 

Zee

I stand corrected.  I checked the game camera today while filling the feeder and this......is the last pic of Skinny Girl. About 4-5 hours before I shot her. 

Zee

GunNut

Poor thing.  You did good!

CHIRO1989

What are we looking at here, what is the diagnosis?

Zee

Still don’t know. 

Six-Gun

Good on you to dispatch this one.  Great shot!  That old warhorse made one helluva hole.  

Crazy coincidence in that I was going to ask you about a very similar looking doe I have on my place.  She has a young fawn with her so I am leaving her be, but she looks very gaunt like yours.  Behavior looks otherwise normal, but you can see her ribs and hips.

Zee

Skinny Girl had a fawn as well. Maybe it was just drawing her down. She was otherwise normal looking. Other than being a skeleton. 

Gene L

Maybe she was on Jenny Criag.  I LOVE the 7mm Mauser.  I don't think there is a better all around caliber out there.  Yes, more efficient, yes, greater velocity.  But not better.  I also like the 6.5 x 55 Swede.

Zee

Gene L said:

Maybe she was on Jenny Criag.  I LOVE the 7mm Mauser.  I don't think there is a better all around caliber out there.  Yes, more efficient, yes, greater velocity.  But not better.  I also like the 6.5 x 55 Swede.

I am really digging this hunting with older guns. 

Checked another box this evening! 😎

CHIRO1989

Zee said:

I meant what are we looking at here? Why did you post this picture?

Zee

5.5 year old teeth 

A method of aging.