Hi everyone. I finally decided to join after a while of reading posts and getting ideas for my smoke poles. I recently decided I wasn’t really enjoying centerfire hunting season anymore and want to make the switch to being primarily muzzleloader and archery hunter. I will post my muzzleloader’s so folks can give me ideas for improvement or maybe they might like my ideas and try it themselves. Look forward to learning from you guys.
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- Thread starter Smj66
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Hello. If nothing else, using a M-L usually opens up more seasons for hunting deer, similar to archery.
As you know, regulations vary a fair amount by State. It’s just about a free for all here in WI, a favorite scoped in-line is just fine.
As you know, regulations vary a fair amount by State. It’s just about a free for all here in WI, a favorite scoped in-line is just fine.
Thanks for the welcome. Sounds like out east you guys actually have a muzzleloader season. Out west we have hunts and controlled tags but not like we actually have a muzzleloader season like we do archery or any weapon. It would be nice if they would change the a bit.
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Welcome aboard!
Lots of fun stuff to read. And plenty of great information and advice.
Happy shooting!
Sam A.
Lots of fun stuff to read. And plenty of great information and advice.
Happy shooting!
Sam A.
Thank you. I agree. I was learning stuff from the forums before I was a member. A lot of it was hard to find info too.
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Welcome! Great site here, lots of wisdom, many prolific contributors with everything from hilarious anecdotes to detailed data charts to jaw-dropping pictures of game, grounds, and gear. The gurus here usually tolerate my "book-learnt" ramblings about math and physics as I fish around for others to join me in my geeky, born-again teenager excitement about muzzleloading. They've all either guided me, corrected me, encouraged me, or just politely ignored me. I've never been trashed or trolled by long-time, well-known, or supporting members. The Admins take care of the obvious instigators, or the "Ignore" function can help you build your own fences quite easily.
You stated that you weren't enjoying centerfire seasons anymore, and I wonder if our experiences are similar with how the public land hunting world has been changing over the past generation or two (or more; I was almost completely out of it from 1983-2002 and then only infrequently until I retired in 2013). Going out in muzzleloading seasons instead of cartridge/shotgun was like trading the freeway (90 mph, bumper to bumper & white knuckles) for the back roads and enjoying more solitude, safety, and satisfaction. After a few dedicated ML seasons, I didn't feel like I needed to sandbag my ground blind nor don body armor on opening day anymore. Gun seasons' opening days had the tiny parcels of public land around me looking like pumpkin patches, and I didn't have the money or connections to access leased private land. Muzzleloading saved deer hunting for me; I was ready to hang it up entirely until a friend gave me a copy of the late Ian McMurchy's "Modern Muzzleloading for Today's Whitetails." Another friend gave me a cheap, neglected-but-salvageable ML rifle shortly after that, and I haven't looked back. I hope your switch becomes as satisfying as mine has been, whether it's a clean break from centerfire or just adding another way to go about it.
Thanks. I’m over the long range game. Everyone with a scope thinks they’re Chris Kyle these days. I’ve been shot over by lazy slobs that didn’t even go to see if they hit it or not. If it doesn’t drop in sight they don’t go and look. I just don’t see the fair chase in a 800 to 1300 yard shot with a suppressed rifle. Many a wounded animal in the unit I hunt has not been found. With muzzleloader and archery I at least feel like even a longer shot (50 - 60 yards bow or 150 - 200 muzzy) the animal can still effectively use all its senses. I prefer feel like skill filled my tag, not technology or a lucky lobbed shot.
