General: muzzleloader vs modern

[BigTines]

So looking at general season success rates it appears that many west side units the modern rifle season actually has higher success rates than the muzzleloader season.

Any ideas on the reason for this?

I currently hunt modern and am interested in starting muzzleloader hunting. I was interested due to the earlier season (first crack at animals other than archery) and less hunters. But now I am wondering why success rates are often times lower.

Thoughts/opinions for those who have done both??

[Stein]

To shoot an animal, the rifle needs to go bang when you pull the trigger.  For me, I have a terrible time getting the smoke pole to fire when it rains all day - and it rains all the time.

That is just a survey of one though.

[JimmyHoffa]

It was my experience that muzzy season (early) was pretty crowded.  Lots of folks in the woods working an area and kicking animals around to their safe spots.  Even with the new early GMUs added this past year, it seemed like a large number of muzzy guys were still crowding each other.

[BigTines]

Bump...thanks for the input guys. Any more thoughts out there??

[shootnrun]

I am not sure what all is included in the odds, but if you look through the special permits, there tends to be significantly more for modern than the other two options. Aside from sheer numbers of people, it's easier to send rounds down range from a rifle than a muzzleloader. Combined with lots of hunters moving animals and overall more special permits with a weapon that is more user friendly, it is not terribly surprising. I know certain areas that no elk exist during archery because the Bulls are out chasing tail, but during rifle when they move back down the rifle boys hammer them.

 

[Pete112288]

the early muzzy season is a little shorter than modern. But not sure that accounts for much. Sadly from most guys I have ran into muzzy hunting I have seen a lot of hunters that switch to muzzy for the season and think they can treat it like a rifle, trying shots much farther, shots at running animals, pretty much trying to treat a muzzy like a magnum modern rifle. I dont want to say this is the majority in muzzy, just seems to be the ones I run into, the type that see horn, find tan behind their sights and pull the trigger. Rather than what I was taught, is to treat it more like a bow when it comes to patience and shot placement just with more range if you are practiced with it.

[MountainWalk]

Well, the modern season is longer and more participate,  so stands to reason more elk will die.

 Both can be crowded, and both can be not crowded.
   Camping is nicer in Oct.   More daylight, more time to hunt. I've noticed that a lot of muzzleloader hunters are older. No offense.  These guys normally camp the same place every year and hunt the same places.    It is a toss up. If you go muzzleloader,  have a late unit figured out.

[palousehunter]

It is nicer the only problem following Archery season is they chase the elk hard and takes time for them to move back end and we started to see Elk ,

[BigTines]

Well, the modern season is longer and more participate,  so stands to reason more elk will die.

 Both can be crowded, and both can be not crowded.
   Camping is nicer in Oct.   More daylight, more time to hunt. I've noticed that a lot of muzzleloader hunters are older. No offense.  These guys normally camp the same place every year and hunt the same places.    It is a toss up. If you go muzzleloader,  have a late unit figured out.

Seemed like there were only a couple choices for late season muzzleloader. Any suggestions for an area with public land and decent elk numbers??