how many of you out there use 12 gauge slugs for deer?

I have shot one deer with a 12ga. I was using Federal 1.25 ounce slugs with a Aimpoint scope on my Mossberg 500, 28" barrel mod. choke. That deer went about thiry yards and dropped dead. There was a spray of blood and fur about 2x3 feet where it was hit and a trail of blood right up to the deer. Not drops but a steady line. That deer had a hole the size of a quarter going in and one slightly bigger then a baseball coming out. It took out three ribs and the entire shoulder. If you want short range knock down power you can not beat a 12ga slug. Just make sure you don't have a quartering shot or you will do what I did. The deer was about 40 yards away when shot also.

Sullie13

Through the years we have done a lot of shotgun deer hunts. Never have used slugs though, they rip up too much meat. All of our deer taken with shotguns were shot with 3" Mag. 00 Buckshot. Can't ever remember a deer going more than a step or two after the shot.

In New York, that is the only way to legally hunt during modern firearm season in most of the state. I've killed dozens of whitetails with 12, 16 and 20 GA slugs. We normally shoot them through a shorter slug barrell with open rifle sights on them. They have become more accurate over the years since most manufacturers offer a slug that has rifling grooves cast right into the lead slug. With a 2 3/4 inch 12 GA and good shells, I have an effective range (consistently inside a pie plate)of about 80 yards and I am by no means a great shot. I imagine the 3 1/2 inch guns extend that some.
A well placed shot will not ruin any good meat. I killed a buck at 60 yards last year that ran about 20 yards. He was shot in the chest just above the heart for a double lung shot. The entrance hole was about 1 inch in diameter and the exit hole, after blasting thorugh both rib cages, was about 2 inches in diameter. The slog was still in one piece, but was flattened and much wider than it was when it entered. A shoulder shot can sometimes get messy if the slug fragments. My opinion is that shooting a deer with a slug vs. buck shot is similar to shooting a rabbit with a .22 vs. shotgun shot.
On average, the buckshot is going to damage more meat because the shot does have a spread. Your range with a slug will be better as well. If shots aren't well placed, then it doesn't matter what weapon or ammunition you choose. You will damage meat and you will risk losing the animal.
My weapon of choice in thick cover where your shots will be at close range would definitely be a slug shotgun with open sights. I'd also consider using this setup when I'm hunting in an area where I am concerned about a bullet traveling a mile or more.

-lobo

P.S. My Dad's nickname is Slug and he sure has earned it. He worked for Ithaca Gun making Deerslayer shotguns and has slayed a few in his time, helping the New York State wildlife managers control that abundant whitetail herd.

Lobo,

When shooting the 00 Buck we always shoot at the head, never body shots. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot 50 yards at a deer with buckshot. 30 inch barrel and a modified choke puts a pretty tight group out there. You are only talking about 9 or so pellets. We used to partake in the either sex hunts in Southwest Washington back in the early 70's. All of us would shoot 00 Buck and be tagged out by noon the first day. With 5 or 6 deer on the ground every time we hunted that area I was able to see just how effective Buckshot can be. These were logged off areas too, not brush.

Lobo-

Lobo-How much is it for an out-of-state license to hunt upstate NY? Sounds like you guys have a heck of a good whitetail population out there! Is it reasonable for a guy who's never been there, to actually be able to find a good place to hunt and take a deer without a guide? How do you get your meat back here to Washington?? Or do you leave it there for your family? Thanks, Brass

This year it costs $110. Out of state hunters can apply for additional tags as well.
New York State Hunting License Page

As far as land access goes, there really is not much public land there. We have been on a few pieces of state land, but they get a lot of pressure. I hunt on land that we have hunted and farmed for years. It is getting more difficult every year to find places to go because our old farming friends are losing their farms. The bow season doesn't get nearly as much pressure there and you might be able to find some space on public land before the real slaughter begins.

If I was looking for an out of state hunt I don't think I'd recommend New York to someone going blindly and knows noone there. Pennsylvania would be better with more public forests and an excessive deer (and black bear) population. I'd probably be looking at Montana or Wyoming instead, although I've never done that either.

In order to return meat, I buy a cheap styrofoam cooler, fill it with backstraps and dry ice, and take it on the plane with me. The rest of it stays with dad.