Post by: cohochemist on September 19, 2017, 12:06:42 PM
Post by: bobcat on September 19, 2017, 12:15:20 PM
So I think a lack of opportunity is one reason archery is more popular. Another reason is probably the fact that muzzleloaders are not the best choice in wet weather.
Post by: Bob33 on September 19, 2017, 12:19:58 PM
General Elk Season, Eastern Archery: September 9-21 (13 days)
Archery season is nearly twice as long, and earlier when elk are more likely to be rutting and responding to calls.
Post by: klickman on September 19, 2017, 12:26:26 PM
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Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 19, 2017, 12:29:35 PM
Post by: cohochemist on September 19, 2017, 01:41:02 PM
I grew up in Nebraska were the muzzleloader deer season is very generous, plus we could use during rifle and special late season hunts. This worked to our advantage because much of the very limited public land around Lincoln and Omaha prohibited high power rifles but would allow muzzleloaders; too many houses, not enough trees to stop wayward bullets... During general rifle season, the deer would actually hide out on the public land rather than risk it in a farmer's corn field. Needless to say, muzzleloading became quite popular with me and my hunting buddies! Enough so that I traded in my archery and rifle equipment years ago before moving to WA.
So, how far removed from the peak Elk rut is muzzy season? Am I wrong to assume you would see more movement in early Oct. compared to November with the westside rifle season? I am largely a muzzy guy and would prefer to stick with my black-powder rather than dropping $300-600 bucks on new rifle or bow. Or, should I do an equipment upgrade for next year?
Post by: floatinghat on September 20, 2017, 10:07:26 AM
Muzzy still doesn't get the seasons or the number of units but it has improved. There were a lot of new muzzy hunters last season with the opening of a few new GMU's in the early season. For the areas I hunt it got much busier. A good number of archery guys I know tried to deflect attention sayin muzzy got the peak of the rut... We didn't my buddies had bulls screeming and we had silence. Not saying we didn't have chances. But due to the number of hunters our season and access to special permits are limited.
Post by: Stein on September 20, 2017, 04:42:59 PM
There are better hunts, but I don't know that it really gives a guy less competition than modern.
Post by: OutHouse on September 20, 2017, 04:54:05 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on September 20, 2017, 05:08:24 PM
It depends on the unit and for me it depends on whether I have a MS tag. Where I hunt deer anyway, the muzzy season is the perfect balance between not having the pumpkin patch and not having to draw the bow to take a shot. If I don't tag out during archery then I bust out the hawken for muzzy.
I hunted modern elk for years. Than switched to muzzy about 6 years ago.
No way I see as many other hunters in the woods as modern.
I think I saw 6 guys last year in the woods I didn't know. I have gone days without seeing another hunter outside of my partners.
I like muzzy for that reason less folks.
Post by: Little Fish on September 22, 2017, 05:21:41 PM
Given that early muzzy season is still during the rut I can understand why it is shorter. Rutting bulls are way easier to kill than the non-rutting variety so if the season were longer I think there would be a lot more dead elk.