2025 deer

Sika Deer are everywhere in Lower Dorchester County, both private & public . Started out in Black Water Refuge from introduction but branched out quickly thru the years. Somerset county is also starting to be known for them in areas bordering water. We even have a few in Worcester , on mainland but of course Assateague has the bulk. Again they started out in Assateague Isl. Federal & State park from introduction. They are tasty little critters, even more so than white tail.
 
Chip M. said:
My first and favorite deer caliber. I think I own 3 now and it's NOT ENOUGH!
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I was a little skeptical of it when the gun was first offered for sale to me. I was not familiar with the round.

But I love the Winchester 70 platform so I took a shot at it.

And boy am I glad I did.
 
SJ Fairbank said:
That's great Jode. Cool looking animal. I've been hearing about those little DelMarVa deer for some time, are they on public land or is it all preserve? I don't have a 257, but my most favorite deer rifle is a 7x57 Remington Mountain Rifle that was my dads. Who's your daddy, 257? ;)
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Nice! That's an awesome Caliber.

Sika deer are a wild free range heard that roam over three or four Maryland counties and also Accomack County (I believe) in Virginia. Near Chiconteage.

They escaped from private James island in the late 1800s. Only seven animals.

They have spread and diversified since then. They are highly nocturnal and very elusive. They disappear in the vast stands of Needlerush and phragmite that are so extensive in Dorchester County.

Most of the hunting occurs around the Blackwater Federal wildlife refuge. They have permits and lottery that go on sale in late July.

It used to be a really well kept secret. Since some high profile television shows have ventured there the past few years it seems like the secret is out. Lol but from a duckhunting perspective, they are a wonderful creature. You're in the Marsh surrounded by all the familiar ducky sites and then this cool little deer all of a sudden shows up down range. There's quite nothing like it.
 
Carl said:
Very nice Sika! I hope to hunt them in Japan after retirement, just gotta navigate their gun laws which is not easy.
I shot a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser for years, similar to the 257 R., gotta love the flat trajectory of long thin bullets. If I ever get back in to deer hunting here again, I'd invest in a 7mm-08 or 257 R.
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I know Hunting them in Japan is possible, but it is quite restrictive.

And there are several different sub species of Sika. The ones in Maryland are of the smallest variety.

I was a little skeptical of those long, thin bullets, but boy there is practically zero drop from 100 to 250.

That makes it nice when you're trying to arrange distant targets. To date of the 10 or so deer I have shot with it. None have gone more than 15 yards.
 
roy brewington said:
Sika Deer are everywhere in Lower Dorchester County, both private & public . Started out in Black Water Refuge from introduction but branched out quickly thru the years. Somerset county is also starting to be known for them in areas bordering water. We even have a few in Worcester , on mainland but of course Assateague has the bulk. Again they started out in Isl. Federal & State park from introduction. They are tasty little critters, even more so than white tail.
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They are even working their way up into Delaware. Along the nanticoke .

I have a buddy that has killed several in that area of Delaware and there have been trail camera pictures as for north as a Dover.
 
Yep, in order to hunt in Japan you have to be a citizen or resident, and go through the gun ownership process.
A gun owner cant loan a gun to anyone, i believe not even another approved gun owner.
Which is why there are no guided hunts for non-residents.
They still have a hunting culture but the average age of hunters is like 65+, And as the recent news shows, a resulting serious issue with bear, boar and deer overpopulation.
The deer, boar, beer, duck and pheasant hunting is supposed to be very good.
 
Beer hunting there is easy: they have it vending machines, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. it’s really just beer shooting not really hunting at all.
:D
 
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