There are some big 250lb+ whitetail deer in PA in the thick woods. Lots of guys use a 30-06 or heavier in the belief that they need to need to put them down fast. In Potter County for example, on opening day, if a hit deer runs 40 or 50 yards, someone else is going to put lead in it, then try to claim it. JD Jones wrote an interesting article that he sold a lot of 45-70 Contender (pistol) barrels to PA hunters who wanted to put down deer fast, with out them running far. Whether you think bigger calibers put down big whitetail deer faster, is a matter of opinion. Plenty of people do believe it though, and they surely practice it--right or wrong.
I've been hearing tales of 250 lb PA deer all my life. Next one I see will be my first.
I would think there must be 250 lb. deer {on the hoof} in Pa.. They are here in NY just across the Pa. border. I saw two taken here in Delaware county last season that dressed 205 and 215 respectively. I took one myself years ago that dressed 195. Any of those would have been at or near 250 on the hoof. They aren't common but they are around.
