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If you're not a bowhunter, the odds of adding a velvet buck to your trophy collection aren't great. In most states, it's essentially impossible. Kansas is not one of those states. With an early muzzleloader season—beginning as early as the second week of September—those of us who aren't archers are given a rare opportunity to set our sights on bucks that still have a little something extra on their antlers. Even then, though, it's not a sure thing—a lot of bucks are already going hard horn as August wanes. So with high hopes and tempered expectations, I journeyed to eastern Kansas to join Federal Premium for a little warm-weather deer hunting. Check out the gallery embedded above to get a look at how I fared.
Looking for some last minute gear to take your hunting season to the next level? We have what you need. Check out our list of last minute hunting essentials for the season.
The .404 Jeffery dates back to 1905 or 1906, and was supposedly created by W.J. Jeffery & Co. to replicate the performance of the .450/400 3” Nitro Express, but in a bolt-action magazine rifle. But the offspring of that cartridge—as well as those cartridges which were “highly inspired” by the .404 Jeffery—have gotten much more of the spotlight than the .404 ever did.