Quote:
Originally posted by jyl
That's interesting, Jeff. Do people really use "buckshot" for hunting deer?
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I'm not sure if you are pulling my leg here or not, John. In case you are not, I'll forego any smart-ass reply I might otherwise be tempted to provide. So in all seriousness, of course they do. "Buck" = deer, so literally "deer shot". At very close, like shorter than even bow hunting range, it is very effective. For sitting in a tree stand or any similar type of hunting where you wait for them to get close to you, it can work quite well. I have hunted various animals in brush so thick you could not see them beyond buckshot range anyway. In some locals shotguns are mandated by law; rifles are illegal to hunt due to the proximity of houses and the like. Slugs remain a better choice for hunting, but in some areas buckshot is still used and enjoys a rather elevated status beyond its true capabilities. It is far better employed as a man-stopper at "conversational" ranges.