Dan Drops A 10-Point Whitetail Buck With His Knight Muzzleloader

Dan learns the knock-down power of his muzzleloader.

The 10-point buck with his 23-inch spread was no match for Dan Poteet and his Knight Revolution II muzzleloader rifle. Poteet, a long-time archery enthusiast and rifle hunter, took the buck down immediately and permanently during the 2008 season.

"I was blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime to take this fine animal," Poteet said of the trip.

He first decided to try deer hunting with a muzzleloader in the 2007 season. His main question concerning using a muzzleloader was whether or not it would have the same knock-down power as his 30-06. After researching various brands, he chose the Knight Revolution II muzzleloading rifle.

On the day of the deer hunt, Poteet changed his routine, choosing to enter the woods at 11 a.m. instead of deer hunting in the early dawn or late evening. On that moderate Virginia fall day, in the peak of the fall rut, Poteet sat 20 feet above a creek bottom. There, in his blind, he alternated using grunt and bleat calls. At around 1 p.m. he watched six does progress down the distant hillside to the creek bottom. From the does' movements he could tell they had company. Then, he saw the wily buck.

"Upon seeing such a massive rack, the adrenaline began pumping," Poteet said.

The does crossed the creek close to Poteet and continued downstream. Poteet got into shooting position and then continued to watch the buck as he slowly and cautiously watched the does and lifted his head to check the air. Poteet knew he had the upper hand when he noticed that the wind was blowing towards him. The buck progressed into the ravine after crossing the creek, then exited and stopped to observe the does 50 yards in front of Poteet, broadside. Poteet placed the crosshairs on his right shoulder and, while trying to keep his breathing under control, squeezed the trigger, sending the 230 grain jacketed hollow point to its mark.

Poteet is no longer worried that his muzzleloader has insufficient power. "This experience satisfied my concerns," Poteet said. "I can't say enough about the importance of spending time shooting and getting to know your firearm. Thank you Knight for making a reliable quality firearm! I have been extremely pleased with it."

As for that wily buck: "He is being scored by my taxidermist," Poteet said.