Muzzle Loader GMU's

[JJB11B]

Why is it  that Dayton and Blue Creek are both closed to general season Muzzy deer and elk? I know the Prescott unit is open but its 99% Posted ground. Muzzle loader hunting sounds fun but where do I go? should have researched more before I bought the tag, I went to every spot I could think of that I used to hunt Modern Firearm and they are either posted or crowded... now the late season, never hunted that area at all....

[JJB11B]

Bump

[bobcat]

Just the way it is. Only certain units are open for muzzleloader, who knows why some are and some aren't. It's the same with archery, although archery season generally has a lot more options. I think they like to let the modern firearm hunters be the first to hunt some units.

[bowhunterty]

Plenty of feel free to hunt property. Just have to get out and find it.

[Fullabull]

If they opened up all the units like archery half the archery hunters would move to ML season because the elk are still putting. I think it would end up in a slaughter.

[JJB11B]

Plenty of feel free to hunt property. Just have to get out and find it.

What GMU are you referring too? I have driven almost every inch of Prescott and know of 3-4 pieces that are feel free, they get slammed with hunters. Maybe Ill hunt near my grandparents next year

[bowhunterty]

Must not drove it all. Know where 5000 acres feel free to hunt property is. Plus there is Army Corps of Engineer Property and USFW property. If you want to know some of those areas PM me.

[BOHNTR]

Muzzy hunters should get to hunt the same units that the archers do. I see no reason why the state restricts the Muzzle loaders other than we have the SMALLEST numbers of hunters out of all the user groups, so it gives them the opportunity to S--T on us. 

[BoomWhop]

At the very least they give out a few special permits for other units. Anyone new to muzzy hunting would be shocked at the lack of options for some of the special permits, Elk or Deer.  Not to mention most any Bull permits are 1-2 per unit.  Makes it a OIL draw if your a Muzzy guy for Eastside because I don't care how many points you have when there is only 1 permit it is tough.

[JJB11B]

It sounds like a lot of fun but I have EXCLUSIVELY hunted the Blue Creek and Dayton units since switching to archery about 5 years ago, man how things have changed in Prescott...Maybe Ill try and get an Oregon tag next year.

[Kuduman]

I've asked that exact question to allot of people since I switched to black powder. The only response I ever get is "that's how it always been" I suspect..... and this is only my opinion mind you that back in the day when they restricted muzzy hunting in the Blue creek and Dayton units it was to protect the timber lands from possible wild fires. There's no denying that unburnt powder or even still burning powder exiting a barrel pose a significant risk of igniting a wildfire. As far as the Prescott unit...... it's got some great deer hunting just do your homework.

[BOHNTR]

So Kuduman, your saying that wheat stubble and sagebrush won't ignite, but the forest will ?.
 

[Kuduman]

So Kuduman, your saying that wheat stubble and sagebrush won't ignite, but the forest will ?.

Not at all...... I'm sure if the state grain growers were in charge of setting a muzzeloader season they would restrict muzzeloader's to the timber lands in order to protect their lands from possible wild fires.