Vermont Record Buck is 300 Pounds Dressed
While on the subject of trophies, the VT state deer hunting record has officially declared the Verge buck the state record at 300 pounds dressed. The deer was harvested in 1958 and had become legendary in VT. I’m not quite sure why it took so long to be entered into the record books, but there is plenty of supporting documentation. Biologist at the time suspect the deer was only two years old. Care to take a guess at the caliber rifle used to harvest the deer? No, it wasn’t a .300 Winchester Magnum, like B&C members prefer. The rifle caliber that took down the VT record was a .243. Hunter should remember that shot placement plays more of factor than big noise and recoil.
Make sure you have some hevi-shot and an improved choke tube for April 26, since that’s opening day for spring turkey hunting in MA. The season ends on May 22. Last year 3,027 birds were killed in the spring. The harvest rates spiked in the following three counties: Worchester (779), Berkshire (489) and Franklin (434). Bag limit is two bearded birds; one per day. If you are a good caller #6’s should suffice. Use #4’s or #5’s for longer shots.
As went Winchester so goes Marlin. As you may know Marlin was swallowed whole along with H&R late in 2007. With any acquisition, the purchasing company needs to consolidate to save costs. In this case the cost savings comes at the cost of some 625 jobs in both factories. The 140-year-old gun maker will no longer manufacturer rifles in their North Haven plant. The Freedom Group, which owns the Marlin brand along with Remington, Bushmaster, and others, is moving Marlin’s manufacturing to their factory in Ilion, NY. No need to make a mad rush to get a Marlin with “North Haven, Connecticut” stamped in the barrel. The transition will happen over a year. Marlin began manufacturing in CT in 1870. In June 2011the plant will close.
On April 19 spring turkey season opens in OH and runs through May 16. Last year OH had one of worst turkey hatches in recent years but that should not impact this year’s hunt. ODNR biologists say there are good numbers of two-year-old gobblers. Last year, hunters harvested 20, 710 turkeys in the spring. It is estimated that OH’s turkey population is around 200,000.
