Kentucky deer hunting happens on ridge tops, creek bottoms and farm edges across the Bluegrass, and a light rifle is easier to carry up a hollow before daylight. The Fierce Mini Rogue family is made for youth, women and smaller-framed hunters, which makes it a smart choice for a first rifle in a Kentucky family.

Fierce builds the Mini Rogue with a carbon fiber stock, a shorter length of pull and an adjustable comb or push-button cheek piece. Some models add an integral bipod rail and QD flush cups for a sling, and the CT Mini Rogue XP weighs about six pounds. 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 Remington cover whitetail well, and the 22 and 25 Creedmoor are softer for a young shooter.

The Carbon Rogue is built for adult shooters who want a light magnum: C3 carbon barrel, stainless two-lug action, spiral-fluted bolt and an adjustable Bix'n Andy Dakota trigger.

7mm Remington Magnum is a long-reaching big-game magnum for elk, moose and open-country deer; expect noticeably more recoil than the short-action rounds. Be honest with yourself about recoil: a magnum in a light rifle kicks. It is a rifle for experienced adult hunters, not a first rifle.

This rifle has a 22 in threaded barrel, 3+1 capacity, and weighs about 5.8 lb. Finish: Sonora Ambush Camo.

A child or smaller adult who struggles to reach the trigger will rush the shot. A shorter length of pull lets the shooter settle in with the elbow down. Adjust the comb until the eye falls right behind the scope with no head lift. In Kentucky deer woods, start with a 25 Creedmoor or 6.5 Creedmoor rather than a 308 for the first seasons.

Kentucky has no permit to purchase and no state waiting period. Choose a Kentucky dealer at checkout, whether you live near Louisville, Lexington or anywhere in the state. The rifle ships to them, and they run the background check at pickup. Ammo, optics and gear ship to your door.

Questions buyers ask: Is a Mini Rogue good for Kentucky whitetail? Yes. 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm-08 Remington handle Kentucky deer at typical woods and field ranges with moderate recoil. How does FFL pickup work in Kentucky? Choose a Kentucky dealer at checkout; with no permit or state waiting period, they run the background check at pickup. What caliber is this Fierce rifle? 7mm Remington Magnum, 3+1 capacity.

Specifications come from Fierce Firearms' published data for part number ROG7RM22BRS, UPC 853418902134.