Washington Deer Hunt: Hunting with an NRL Hunter Rifle - Field Report

Posted by Marchand Hovrud on 2024 Oct 24th

Washington Deer Hunt: Hunting with an NRL Hunter Rifle - Field Report

We rounded the corner of the trail and, almost in unison, said, "Buck!" The side-by-side ATV came to an abrupt stop. My dad, brother-in-law, nephew, and I were hunting deer, and now we were staring at a buck—while he stared right back at us.

Let's rewind a bit. Years ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to hunt. I didn't grow up hunting—that was more of a thing my dad and brothers did. I only picked it up in adulthood. We hunt on the ranch where my dad grew up in Washington State, and I've harvested a few deer there at close range using my grandpa's old rifle, which had a fixed 2.5x scope. That's when I got hooked, but I knew I wanted to be a more confident shooter and expand my experience. I didn't know how to start learning, but a random trip to a Sportsman's show changed that. I stumbled upon a booth showing a video of a PRS match. Curious, I started asking questions, and as is common in the shooting world, I was welcomed with open arms and invited to help out at matches and try some rifles.

Fast forward a few years, and I had transitioned from being a Range Officer to owning my first rifle and competing in matches. From PRS to NRL Hunter, I've loved every minute of it! The sport has opened doors I never imagined. I've been a proud member of the MDT Shooting Team for five years, representing a company full of great people and, of course, top-notch gear. I've learned a lot using equipment that excels both in the field and during matches. I became so immersed in the competitions that I didn't actually hunt for a couple of years!

My original goal—becoming a more confident hunter—has been shaped by the NRL Hunter competition format. These matches sharpen skills like target acquisition, ranging distances, and building shooting positions under pressure and time constraints. The repetition of practicing and competing makes every action in the field second nature.

My current rifle is built on a Defiance Machine Deviant Elite action chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, with a carbon fiber MTU light barrel from Benchmark Barrels, all set in an MDT HNT 26 Chassis. I've outfitted it with an MDT One-Piece Scope Mount, the MDT Comp Brake, and the MDT Double Pull Ckyepod bipod. My scope is the Burris XTR Pro, and I use the Link System and Cush Pad from OBI, along with a two-round holder from Short Action Precision. The Two Vets Tripod—The Recon—is an invaluable part of my kit, and I rely on Vortex Fury binos for spotting and ranging. This setup has been a joy to shoot!

This rifle has already helped me harvest a deer and an elk in previous seasons, but 2024 holds special meaning. Earlier this year, in June, my dad survived what should have been a fatal heart attack. He's always been my best hunting buddy, and for a while, it didn't seem like he would still be with us. He was without oxygen for five minutes before EMS arrived, and his survival, let alone his recovery, was uncertain. The fact that he survived and is now thriving has been an incredible blessing. For our family to be back together at the ranch for this season was a joyful and emotional experience. My dad calls this his "first bonus season."

Back to the hunt. I was in the front passenger seat of the side by side, and we were all glassing the buck, checking to see if he was a legal 3-point. We'd already stalked a few bucks earlier that morning that turned out to be just 2-points. Then, almost in sync, we all said, "3-point!" I quickly ranged him—just under 450 yards. My brother-in-law said, "He looks like he's about to run." With no time to set up outside the vehicle, I was worried moving might spook him. He stood broadside, still watching us.

Here's where NRL Hunter competition training kicked in. I grabbed my Armageddon Gear Pint Size Game Changer bag, set it on the dash, confirmed my elevation with my dope card, set the rifle on the bag, dialed the turret, and found the buck in my scope. One steady squeeze of the trigger, and I heard my dad exclaim, "You got him!"

A nice buck, a great rifle, and unforgettable memories—what a bonus season this turned out to be.

Great video on competing in NRL Hunter!

HUNTING ARTICLES FROM MDT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marchand Hovrud grew up in Washington State but now resides in Idaho. A dental hygienist by trade, Marchand has been a competitive shooter for 6 years and is a member of Team MDT. Marchand can be reached via Instagram@gungypsy.

×
×

Recently viewed

Top
↑