Handgun Hunting Discussion

The same as Roy, I have started to assemble my handguns that I will be using for the upcoming 2025 season.

Here in Kentucky the bag limits for Whitetail deer are determined by the county in which you are hunting. You are only allowed to harvest one antlered deer and the county I hunt allows an unlimited number of does. We get four tags on our initial permit and additional permits are two tags for $15.

I usually harvest one or two deer that I process for my own use and the rest are donated. Kentucky has a program called "Hunters for the Hungry" and you simply take your deer to a participating processor to donate. They will in turn process the deer and the meat goes to a local food bank. There is no cost to donate a deer.

I always carry two guns when I hunt, one on my hip with open sights or a red dot, and one that is scoped for longer shots.

*Ruger Bisley 41 magnum 5-1/2" with open sights using a 250 grain cast hollow point at 1250 fps.

*Ruger Flattop 45LC 5-1/2" with red dot using a 310 grain cast hollow point at 1225 fps.

*Rock Island 10mm with red dot using a 180 grain Nosler JHP at 1340 fps.

*Colt 1911 in 460 Rowland with red dot using a 230 grain XTP at 1325 fps.

*Freedom Arms 10" 41 magnum w/Leupold 2.5x8 using a 210 grain Speer Deep Curl at +1700 fps.

*TC Encore 15" 338-06 A-Square w/Leupold 2.5x8 using a 200 grain Hornady at 2300 fps.

*TC Contender 10" SSK 300 Whisper w/Saker suppressor using a 190 grain Makers at 1050 fps.

*Freedom Arms 9" 357 magnum w/Leupold 2.5x8 using a 180 grain XTP at 1625 fps.

I had about the same number of guns in rotation last year, but only used two guns to take four deer.