2023 Muzzleloader Season

[OldMaineWoodsman]

Our season opened last Saturday here in Virginia. Been out with the Hawken and have not even seen a deer yet. Not even a doe. I do know that one little buck was taken out of this area on Saturday. Truth be told, I have been enjoying Grouse hunting. I found a new cover that has been pretty productive. I took today off to deal with some neck pain after re-aggravating a pinched nerve. Be back at tomorrow.

 

[Spikebuck]

I now enjoy small game more than deer hunting. It's leisurely...just a nice walk in the woods. I almost always see game and get one or two for the pot. Not as much work dragging, cleaning, cutting, and packaging. A great "gentleman's" hunt! In addition, in late season I have the woods all to myself.

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

It's funny you say that. I'm starting to feel the same way. The job of dragging a buck out is getting harder and harder. I find myself now enjoying wearing my tweed hat and chasing Grouse and Woodcock with my unmentionable S x S.

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

But then I see guys like this while on the mountain Grouse hunting...

 

[Kev308]

A very good friend whom I have deer hunted with for while now got into bp hunting with a flint a few years back. Before that he hunted with- gasp! An inline…..the horror
All joking aside he said to me as we walked out of the woods one day, theres something about carrying a flintlock in the forest that os really cool.
Too true

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

Taking a deer with something other than black powder just has no appeal to me. I hunt with my Hawken, sometimes with a BPCR during regular firearms season. I don't think I have carried my unmentionable .32 Winchester Special in the woods in over 30 years.