With deer season quickly approaching. What are you guys taking in the woods/deer stand this year?
Deer season around the corner
- Thread starter Jgarret7
- Start date
We've had two deer at our range for the last couple of weeks, so they must be getting ready. 
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I have been eyeing these! Think I am going to pick one up. What kind of range do you feel comfortable with it?
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I upgraded the old hoyt maxxis 31 mid season last year to the new rx-9 ultra. Have yet to hunt with it. I really need to make up my adhd mind on how I intend how filling my tags.. I was set on the bow primarily until a buddy of mine introduced me to these dang airguns....PSE Decree Hd ti.
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I want a Zeus! Currently don't have any big bores so trying to narrow down my options. What's with all the negative feedback on AEA?
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Here it’s a completely different season. I stopped gun hunting awhile ago. No private land access anymore too many gun hunters on state land
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Well, the only AEA that I have are the two Zeus's. I believe you kind of get what you pay for. In the Zeus case it's a basic, heavy, hard-hitting rifle that's fit and finish is on the lower end. I have older Sam Yang bigbores that are way nicer, just not as powerful, but more accurate. That's about the extent of my AEA knowledge.
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@Jgarret7 my zeus is the short version. I would feel comfortable shooting 50 yards with it because I haven't practiced further with it.
I got the 72 zeus because its compact and should leave a big hole for more blood to come out of. The area i hunt is thick so im usually using my crossbow. It's hard to beat the blood trail a nice broadhead will leave for you.
I haven't shot a deer with anything except a crossbow in a long time though. Im usually done hunting by the end of archery season.
The zeus is nice if you need compact power, but if i were shooting longer distance I would consider the new tex rex if I was you. The zeus weighs around 10 lbs without a scope. I run a red dot so no weight added there but the zues is still hefty. The tex rex will be longer but only weighs around 7 lbs without a scope.
I trust airforce reliability over aea, although I haven't have an issue with either gun since I've owned them. Both will do the job. Both gave 3 shot groups that were good enough for me. Here's a couple pics to show the difference in hole size on cardboard and what you can expect are 35 yards.
Hope you find what you are looking for. Happy hunting!
I got the 72 zeus because its compact and should leave a big hole for more blood to come out of. The area i hunt is thick so im usually using my crossbow. It's hard to beat the blood trail a nice broadhead will leave for you.
I haven't shot a deer with anything except a crossbow in a long time though. Im usually done hunting by the end of archery season.
The zeus is nice if you need compact power, but if i were shooting longer distance I would consider the new tex rex if I was you. The zeus weighs around 10 lbs without a scope. I run a red dot so no weight added there but the zues is still hefty. The tex rex will be longer but only weighs around 7 lbs without a scope.
I trust airforce reliability over aea, although I haven't have an issue with either gun since I've owned them. Both will do the job. Both gave 3 shot groups that were good enough for me. Here's a couple pics to show the difference in hole size on cardboard and what you can expect are 35 yards.
Hope you find what you are looking for. Happy hunting!
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The .510 Piledriver and 385 gr Mr. Hollowpoint will be my main airgun, again for the 2025 season, I also run my Recluse if I am in dense cover areas and smaller deer are in need of reduction in the orchard I work for. Last season I manage a mature doe at 60 yards with the Piledriver.
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thanks for the feedback. Here in west texas majority of our shots are 100-200 yards. That is where most of my rifle blinds are set on our ranches anyway. I have bow blinds at assorted 20-60 yards though. Just trying to get a baseline of what I am up against. Thanks.
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