Why do you hunt with ML?

[JeffRaines]

Forgive me if my post sounds short-sighted - this is a question I've been pondering for a little bit now.

What is the main draw of ML hunting? I realize some people probably just enjoy it more than rifle or bow. I know a lot of people like archery elk due to the season coinciding with the rut. Seems like early archery for deer is nicer weather, less cagey animals, etc. On paper, and with my very limited knowledge, it seems like ML gets the short end of the stick.

I have a quality elk tag to focus on this season, but perhaps next season(or if I run across a good deal) I may pick up a ML and give it a shot!

[dylanb]

not as many people compared to rifle, not as hot but usually not terrible rains . guys like archery hunting but cant shoot a bow

[steeleywhopper]

 Archery season weather but you get to shoot bullets.

[Kazekurt]

Honestly, I hunt with all three weapons most years( Multi tags, out-of-state hunts)  but there are a few things that I like about the ML.  Generally speaking, there is less traffic during the muzzle season than the modern season.  I also kind of like that you just never know what it's going to happen with a muzzleloader. I have made some amazing stalks only to pop a cap without igniting the charge; I've had a cap just not pop and had to attempt the mad scramble to get a new one on, etc.  There is also nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of missing a shot and scrambling to ram another charge down to get a second opportunity or The sinking feeling of missing a shot and  watching a big buck run off knowing that there is not another round ready to be levered in.In my opinion, the muzzle loader is far and away the most frustrating  weapon of the three but  I kind of enjoy the challenge.   I also like that it incorporates a lot of the tactics needed for archery, but still gives you  A bit of range if you need it.  If you've spent a lot of years hunting, sometimes you just need  some variety because a rifle is brutally efficient.

[bobcat]

The main reason for me is less people. I also enjoy the challenge but mostly when I hunt with a muzzleloader it's to avoid the crowds. Although, during elk season it can still be crowded, depending on where you go. Go deer hunting in a place where there are few elk, or elk season isn't open at the same time, and you'll have the woods to yourself. I like the early seasons the best, late season I'd rather be hunting with a bow because muzzleloaders and rain just are not a good combination.

[Rainier10]

I honestly believe it is the best combination of season and technology.  I think the timing is great for the elk rut.  I think the timing is great for the deer not being too spooky.  I think there are fewer hunters than with archery or modern.  And I think you have the best chance to still reach out and touch one with a muzzy.  You can shoot 150 yards if you have to.

I absolutely love the challenge of archery hunting.  I think if harvesting an animal more consistently was important to me I would switch to muzzy.

[ghosthunter]

Less folks

[dscubame]

No orange required is one reason I like it.

[biggfish]

I got tired of setting up in the pumpkin patch so I switched to archery. Last year I was injured and unable to hunt. Now due to shoulder and back injuries I'm having trouble with my draw, so I bought a muzzle loader.

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[Mfowl]

I began my big game hunting career with ML and mainly to hunt elk. I chose it for the reasons already stated, less people, good season timing. I also enjoy getting close to game and interacting in calling scenarios. I hunt all 3 weapon types now and will continue to do so but ML will always be the front runner. I am committed to archery elk this year but have an MS deer tag so I'll still get the smokepole out for atleast 1 weekend.

[JeffRaines]

I got tired of setting up in the pumpkin patch so I switched to archery. Last year I was injured and unable to hunt. Now due to shoulder and back injuries I'm having trouble with my draw, so I bought a muzzle loader.

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Sorry to hear that. Hope you get one this year!

[usmc74]

After about 30 years of bow hunting, the shoulders just don't like it anymore.  The muzzy is sort of like a long range bow.  Same camo, less people (sort of), no orange.  It just sucks that the deer and elk are in the same week.

[BoomWhop]

I love to shoot them. I love the huge cloud and flame shooting out 6 feet out of the barrel. I love how easy it is to totally blow a golden opportunity on big game. Huge buck or bull and the cap goes click instead of boom.     you get to carry a purse with all kinds of neat stuff. What other weapon do you have a legitimate reason to carry lube and bore butter.  You have not lived until you get the ramrod stuck down the barrel in front of your friends, or even better when everyone at the range is done and waiting for you to shoot and the cap goes bang...but the gun does not. "Don't worry boys, go check your targets this happens every now and then"  epic fun times. 

I love to hunt in the snow, fewer crazy unsafe people. No one using their scope to see what you are, no bullets flying over my truck or deer/elk stumbling with their tongues out because they have been pushed for miles.

[JeffRaines]

Why do you guys recommend for powders? I've been looking around online and it seems like triple 7 and pyrodex get a lot of love(for the northwest). Is there anything else that works with musket caps that I've overlooked?

[RatRodMike]

I agree with all the reasons above.  Still my main reason is simply that I got bit back in '89 by getting my first elk with a smoke pole.  Now it's just now I hunt.

[blackpowderhunter]

My buddy who got me into hunting grew up hunting muzzle loader with his dad.
So now that's what we hunt, and I love it.

[Mfowl]

Why do you guys recommend for powders? I've been looking around online and it seems like triple 7 and pyrodex get a lot of love(for the northwest). Is there anything else that works with musket caps that I've overlooked?

Powder is favored here because of our primitive weapon rules. It ignites more consistently with caps than pellets do. A 209 primer is hotter charge than a musket cap or no. 11 cap and will ignite pellets better. I use T7 ffg but others favor fffg. It just takes bench time and trying some different loads to build confidence in your shooting.

[biggfish]

Why do you guys recommend for powders? I've been looking around online and it seems like triple 7 and pyrodex get a lot of love(for the northwest). Is there anything else that works with musket caps that I've overlooked?

Only other thing I could think of is Goex, since it is actual black powder and not a substitute it should work with musket caps.

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[OutHouse]

I just think it's more challenging and more fair to the game. Just my opinion not trying to stir some pot, but I think it's pretty easy to kill an animal with a scoped rifle--not just because of the optics but also the potential for quick follow up shots. I've never messed up with a scoped rifle, but have made countless mistakes with a smoke pole and even more with a bow.

[Mongo Hunter]

Balance.

Its the best balance between the season length/time and weaponry. Bow gets the best season and time but your range in greatly reduced. Modern you get the range and weapon but a really short season and not a great time of year.

[kselkhunter]

Not all areas have fewer hunters in ML season.  I'd suggest scouting it during ML season to judge number of hunters before committing to it. 

Most areas have less hunters in ML than rifle.  But not the area I hunt.  There's actually more people in archery and ML than there are rifle, in the specific location that I go for elk. 

[BigGoonTuna]

i started doing it because it's what everyone else in the group i used to hunt with started doing.  it didn't take long to really start to enjoy it, i love shooting my ML, and it sure is enjoyable to be the only one in the woods, and have that long late season in some units.  it's nice to hunt in actual cold weather, i get hot really easily and find myself out there in a wool shirt and pants with long johns, even when it's 20* outside.

the downside, you get second crack at the deer after the archery guys have chased them around for a month already, and the early season can be hot and buggy(i hate hunting in hot weather, and really hate yellow jackets!).  also, it can be tough finding bucks in the late season, unless you step on them.

all that said, i'm going back to modern at least for this year, as the early muzzleloader season starts around or on my wife's birthday every year, and it takes a lot of kitchen credit to go out usually.  also, the unit i hunt went buck-only, so not as much of an advantage for ML.

[elkboy]

I am primarily a meat hunter, and the units in my area allow doe in addition to 3 point+ bucks.  Antlers are very nice, of course, but I sure don't mind coming home with a good-sized doe for the freezer. 

There is also the satisfaction of taking an animal when you know there is a vanishingly small chance of a follow-up shot!  It sure forces me to focus on making that first shot count. 

Lastly, I suppose I have a romantic connection to the history of muzzleloaders.  Even though I hunt with a modern ML setup, I like the feeling of ramrodding that bullet down on top of a powder load, as people have done for hundreds of years. 

[Oh Mah]

I love muzzies but the first thing that came to mind and not being a smart alek is because i can.Everything i do,I do because i am free to do so. 

[Twang]

All of the above all apply  Uh things just kinda get crazy somehow, even primitive. All the mental checks I do, the extras to some, just to feel confident it will shoot on demand have been taught with a double dose of humility
That is before we even get into the follow up shot fiascos
Guys know " keep yer powder dry " is a profound statement meaning so much more to an experienced shooter than others might guess and I suspect it will bring memories to many and smiles to more than a few