I always look forward to pulling the muzzleloader out of the gun cabinet for the week long season. This year’s muzzleloader season started this week on Dec. 4 and runs until Saturday Dec. 9. It’s a great time to fill the freezer with a doe if nothing else.
The muzzleloader industry continues to grow especially with the advent of the modern in-line muzzleloaders. Some folks prefer the ole flintlock rifles and like to take that step back in time and hunt like our early ancestors did. Regardless of which type of muzzleloader you use, there’s still the basic concept that requires loading powder, a bullet, and a cap or primer as the ignition source. On the flintlock rifles a piece of flint is used to create a spark and ignite the powder charge.
The thing that makes muzzleloader hunting challenging is you only get one shot. Up until a few years ago scopes were not allowed on muzzleloaders in West Virginia. This meant open sights only and added to the challenge. I still remember my first muzzleloader hunt on a Gilmer County pipe line right-a-way.
As I snuck to the top of a ridge and looked down into the pipeline there were two deer feeding about 40 yards away. I picked the back one and settled the open sights; this was before scopes were legal, on the back doe and slowly squeezed the trigger. The smoke rolled and the deer disappeared in the cloud. I waited for the smoke to clear and reloaded in case a follow up shot was needed. There was no need for another shot as the doe dropped right in her tracks.
I still use open sights mainly for practice for a future mule deer hunt in the Colorado high country where scopes aren’t allowed.
Shooting at a wild animal is different than shooting at a target and just like anything else in life the more experience you have at something, the more confidence you’ll gain.
In some states muzzleloaders and shotgun slugs are the only firearms permitted during deer season. In West Virginia there are two areas that have been designated as muzzleloader hunting only. The Wilson Cove Deer Study Area located in Hardy County on the George Washington National Forest near Wardensville and the Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area located in Hancock County are muzzleloader only including the traditional two week long buck season that just finished up. In the hunting regulations it states that “only single shot muzzleloaders, including in-lines of .38 caliber or larger are legal for hunting deer on these areas.”
Muzzleloader season can be a great time to get with a few buddies and organize a deer drive. It’s also a great time to harvest a doe for the freezer and help the deer herd while you’re at it. I never get tired of hearing the roar and watching the smoke roll while muzzleloader hunting in the West Virginia hills and hollows.
If you’re like me and plan on venturing out during muzzleloader season make sure you wear your blaze orange as it’s still required. The weather forecast is showing colder temperatures for the end of the week. It extends the deer hunting opportunities and gives you another reason to be in the woods.
And who knows, you may see a big buck that made it through the two week long buck season. It happened to me a few years ago when I saw a huge 10 point on the last day of the 2010 muzzleloader season. He snuck in behind me and disappeared before I could get a shot. I can still see him standing there and it’s an encounter I’ll never forget as he was a wall hanger for sure.
Good luck to everyone and be safe. Take care until next week and enjoy your time in the deer woods.
