Fire and smoke belch out of the barrel. Once the smoke clears we have the opportunity to see if the bullet found its mark. Just as our forbearers in the Midwest did we are hunting public land of which there is precious little in most states. Hunting public land means we have to make good use of scouting materials. Topographical maps provide information about natural funnel areas and elevations. Trips to the area can provide other information such as vegetation, feeding and bedding areas as well as deer trails.
With more hunters taking to the woods each year some are opting to hunt with primitive weapons. They have such reasons as: taking advantage of special muzzle loader seasons, additional time in the field, the challenge of a primitive weapon, and a way of combining the technology of modern firearms with the skill needed to hunt with an ancient weapon.
The muzzle loading hunter is forced to hone hunting skills in order to overcome the limitations of the weapon. One has to hunt harder and get closer. He must learn to safely use his weapon and carry out exacting loading procedures to ensure the life of his weapon and his own safety. Lacking patience then muzzle loading may not be the right way to hunt.
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The muzzle loader is usually either a flintlock or caplock weapon. The modern muzzle loader is often a reproduction of an older weapon. Shooting antique firearms is not a good idea as they can be damaged and lose much of their value. Additionally, could explode from some hidden defect. A third option is the in-line muzzleloader.
The flintlock weapon requires one to fill a pan with fine priming powder and snap a frizzen over it before cocking the hammer. The hammer strikes the frizzen when released by the trigger. The resulting sparks ignite the powder which ignites the powder in the barrel discharging the bullet out of the barrel.
With the percussion cap, the cap takes the place of the priming powder and frizzen. The hammer strikes the cap causing an explosion that in turn ignites the powder in the barrel. Caplocks also come in several systems that make use of primers from shotgun and rifle cartridges.
Most muzzle loader hunters use a propellant called Pyrodex, a black powder substitute that is easier to store and use as well as being more reliable under differing weather conditions.
For the public land hunter, using a muzzleloader can be an advantage due to the season being later in the year than traditional shotgun or rifle seasons. The deer tend to bunch up due to the bad weather.
Some hunters see muzzle loader seasons as extensions of the archery seasons. It is a matter of being a primitive hunter. Deer are bunched up and it is difficult to outwit multiple sets of eyes in search of danger. Some hunters move to the treestand instead of stalking.
Biologists tell us that the white-tailed deer is a creature of the edge habitat. In the late muzzle loading seasons, deer are pretty much through with the rut. They form the small family groups are very wary having just gone through most of the hunting season.
Deer will usually be found on field edges early in the morning and early evening. Most of the does will have been bred and the bucks are not frantically looking for them. This makes both more alert to a hunter=s presence. By working habitat that is near water and grain fields, one improves his odds of finding a good deer trail.
It is important to find where deer travel. Find routes that they take between bedding and eating or drinking areas. One can place a treestand along that route for optimum results.
Large public land tracts have dozens of locations that fit this description. Large tracts create tremendous edge cover as timber borders agricultural land. The terrain can range from timbered slopes to rolling, grassland fields.
Many deer hunters do not like to hunt public areas. They do yield some fine bucks. Regulations on public hunting areas are often more restrictive and many site specific rules apply. It is a good idea to check with the game officials in charge well in advance of a planned hunt. Most sites have fact sheets that list site specific regulations.
One does not have to be a gun or history buff to enjoy the challenge of muzzle loader hunting. It can provide an interesting step back in time to the basics of hunting. Pursuing a deer is a challenge under the best of conditions. With a muzzle loader it is even more rewarding.
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