Handgun Hunting Afield

I finally got drawn for a Any Whitetail tag for the Black Hills South Dakota after a couple years of putting in.

I went to an area where I’ve seen a good amount of deer, not any big bucks but there’s always a chance a bruiser would be passing through.

It was a brisk November morning..18 degrees if I remember correctly when I left the truck!
There was a little snow in some spots but on the sunny slopes it was clear which made for easier walking…no crunchy snow!!!
I parked the truck in the woods and slowly started making my way up the hill to find a good spot to glass for a while…it was a beautiful morning!

I hiked for about a mile or so, all uphill, and found a good spot to glass and eat snacks!
The spot offered a great view and I could see A LOT farther than I was capable of shooting! On this hunt I was carrying my Bayside Custom RAAP in 357 Magnum loaded with hand loaded 158grn Hornady XTPs..my favorite bullet!
The plan was to spot them first and then work from there.

I have attended Handgun Hunters Competition since the beginning and was very confident shooting from field positions…anyone that has attended that Competition knows exactly what I’m talking about.

First glassing spot of the day..what a view! Perfect HHC field position! I sat there for a while and finally saw movement way off into the trees..decided it was time to get moving!
I slowly walked off the back of the hill and started making my way down through the trees.

I walked very slowly and deliberately stopping often to check for wind, movement and sound.
I’m always on the lookout for a good shooting position in case I get surprised by game showing up while I wasn’t paying attention…would you look at that, another HHC position.
I eventually saw movement again and noticed it was a group of Does. I sat and glassed them for about half an hour and realized there wasn’t a Buck following them, they never looked back and never seemed pushed.

I decided that putting some delicious venison in the freezer was more important than horns hanging in my shop rafters..time to make a plan!
The group had worked their way below me off a small bluff. I slid off my pack and started to crawl about 75yds to the edge of the bluff. I had my 357 in my Nixon Leather chest rig along with my Cole Tac Bitty Bag and my rangefinder.
I set up on yet another HHC position, laying prone, bag on a small rock and rested the butt of the gun on the bag.
I sat and watched the biggest Doe for about 15 minutes waiting for the perfect broadside shot.

The gap in the trees was where she was standing…68yds away and I was 100% confident on making that shot from this position.

I squeezed the trigger and heard the bullet impact, she took off but I knew it was a good shot. I always like to go to the impact site just to look at the blood trail…this one was easy to follow. She went 40yds after impact.

I made my way back to my pack, slung it on my shoulder and went back to her. I field dressed her and made a couple trips back to the truck…thankfully all downhill.

I couldn’t have been happier with the hunt. All the preparation I have made, all the range days, all the shooting from field positions finally paid off with 1 shot!
The whole family eats venison so they were happy as can be to get good, wholesome meat in the freezer!
The 357 does it again!

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About the Author:
Texan living in the Black Hills. USAF Veteran and I’m a lifelong hunter. I killed my first deer when I was 7 and I shot my first deer with a handgun in 1985 if my memory is correct.
I’m a Traditional Bowhunter and Handgun Hunter and haven’t hunted with a rifle for over 20yrs.