Staff Pick

John Gibbs 

Gregory Berry

Senneterre Outfitters

Jason Loblein

On opening day of 2019 open firearms season for Maine residents only I got to my rock protruding from the ground at a base of a tree, the same spot I've hunted whitetail for the last 42 years. At legal hunting I loaded up five rounds of Buffalo Barnes 300 grain HP ammo into my Marlin 1895 GBL 45-70. Although it was legal hunting the thick forest and overcast sky kept it too dark to responsibly take a shot for another 15 minutes or so. During that time I heard a number of cracks and crunches. About 20 minutes after legal hunting I heard another crunch in front of me and watched this 7 point buck walk out from behind some trees only 10 yards away moving to my right. While my mounted Vortex scope was not needed at that close range I watched this buck closely confirming both the antlers I had seen right away and the broadside shot placement I wanted just behind the right shoulder trying to preserve the heart, my favorite part of the deer. The magnum loaded Barnes bullet expanded quickly through the lungs angling slightly forward on the opposite side breaking the left leg cleanly as it exited. The blood loss was immediate and substantial and the ethical kill was quick. 

I was honored to accept this incredible gift from the deer spirit so quickly in my season this year but grateful for another successful hunt in the Maine woods!

548 pts · Deer — Jeff Cash

548 pts · Deer — Jeff Cash

500 pts · Deer — Jeff Cash

580 pts · Deer — Jeff Cash

500 pts · Deer — Jeff Cash

664 pts · Bear — Jeff Cash