My first buck, I was 16. Southern Alberta Mule Deer, shot with a Browning BBR .270 Win w/Winchester 130grn Silvertip on the Milk River Ridge with the Sweetgrass Hills of Montana in the background. Not sure the range but the rifle was sighted 4"s high @ 100 and the first shot went low and landed between his front feet. The second went just over his shoulders. The third, he was still standing in the same spot and didnt lift a foot until the third shot connected, tight behind the front shoulder and the bullet was lodged under the hide on the opposite back leg. He fell where he stood and never moved. That was 1983. There have been 32 more deer over the years but thats the only one hanging on my wall with the tag still on his antlers.
The other is of a Black Lab I had, 1990 I think. He was 9 months old and that was his first working goose hunt over water. He did a great job and he was proud of himself lol. He was also painted by Tammy Laye, who at the time was the artist for Ducks Unlimited Canada and I have the original oil painting so he lives on. I miss that dog...
Thanks for posting those Bluewing, really a true representation of the habitat. I love grouse both in the field and on the table. What fowling piece are you toting there?