Another "No" to muzzleloader hunting....

[SamTex1949]

Not to change the direction of this POST, but does anyone have 1st hand knowledge of how those "states" or private areas decided on the regulations that are now imposed regarding ML restrictions , caliber, energy etc ? Did they actually contact or consult respected ML hunters or just use math or some ones "expert knowledge" ? Maybe this should be a separate POST ?

 

[Sam squanch]

I think these hunt clubs that don’t allow muzzleloaders are afraid of being shown up by a person with actual hunting skills.

 

[Tanglefoot]

Like most things, folks, it depends on where you are -- eastern state or otherwise. I've hunted in New England with muzzleloaders, particularly in New Hampshire and Vermont, but we did a lot of ML shooting in other localities too, even Massachusetts.
Shucks, the whole Muzzleloading Hunter Safety program started in New Hampshire.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

Not to change the direction of this POST, but does anyone have 1st hand knowledge of how those "states" or private areas decided on the regulations that are now imposed regarding ML restrictions , caliber, energy etc ? Did they actually contact or consult respected ML hunters or just use math or some ones "expert knowledge" ? Maybe this should be a separate POST ?

That's a very good question!

 

[Carl in France]

Feel for you. Try living in Britain! Even if you found land you can't legally take a deer with a muzzleloader rifle!

Is that so? I was aware of power and bullet requirements but never heard this.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Is that so? I was aware of power and bullet requirements but never heard this.

Yep the licensing department use a manual called " guidance to the police for firearms licencing".
In that document it clearly, despite no act of parliament outlawing it, states that muzzle loading rifles should not be allowed for hunting!

 

[Carl in France]

Ah got it, so if you do you act outside the issue of the licence and your original statement as to your use of the weapon when applying.
Interesting that this guidance on this point then has no backing in law. Guidance should always be backed by law and not opinion especially when it interferes with a lawful act.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

It's almost like you guys are trying to keep me from moving to England or something!

 

[Old Hawkeye]

Yep the licensing department use a manual called " guidance to the police for firearms licencing".
In that document it clearly, despite no act of parliament outlawing it, states that muzzle loading rifles should not be allowed for hunting!

So, all your wonderful post about the hunting you do is with smoothbores or shotguns? Could you then use a smoothbore with ball to hunt deer?

 

[Britsmoothy]

So, all your wonderful post about the hunting you do is with smoothbores or shotguns? Could you then use a smoothbore with ball to hunt deer?

Yes my hunting is with smoothbore and shot.
Unfortunately no I cant use a ball from a smoothbore for deer either.

The experts that advised the government many years ago deemed that British deer now dress in full body armour and appear much larger than they actually are!
B.

 

[renegadehunter]

Far and away the biggest misconception I run into about "traditional" muzzleloaders is their accuracy. Folks that don't know anything about them seem to always envision a gun that simply isn't capable of putting multiple shots into the vitals of a deer. Especially if PRB is brought up. They believe that they are only capable of hitting POA about 50% of the time and that's "just the way it is" with them.
I feel this is what you're fighting the most. Perhaps being able to show them an uninterrupted video of you shooting a nice group at 100 yards might sway some of them?
Close runner-up's to the above is that they simply don't go off every time, and that you can't get a fast follow up shot...like that is a common necessity.
I've deer hunted with unmentionables from the age of 12 to about 6 years ago and have never, ever needed a fast second shot in all that time.
In the timber I either hit them, or I miss them and they run away so fast that even a 3 second reload still doesn't give you a second chance.

 

[FishDFly]

Another option for those who complain about what landowners allow and do not allow, is "buy" your own land and hunt as you wish.

That is what my family did.

 

[Old Hawkeye]

Another option for those who complain about what landowners allow and do not allow, is "buy" your own land and hunt as you wish.

That is what my family did.

Or pay to lease the hunting rights. Haven't had a single hunter that asked to hunt my land offer to help with the property taxes or with any of the property maintenance. They all complain though.

 

[Nameless Hunter]

Or pay to lease the hunting rights. Haven't had a single hunter that asked to hunt my land offer to help with the property taxes or with any of the property maintenance. They all complain though.

I would suggest doing both if you want to hunt someone else's land, but I'm funny that way...

 

[Okie Hog]

i have permission to hunt several properties: No property owner cares what i gun hunt with. One owner has nixed bow hunting after several deer were wounded and were found dead.

i also own two hunting properties. Old Hawkeye is right. In 20 years only one person who has hunted my property has ever offered to help with anything. This year the gate locks got changed.

 

[Heelerau]

Here in Western Australia, you cannot now put a muzzle loader on open license which allows you to hunt. Recreational shooting on a farm only, ie plinking. I do have my .40 flintlock long rifle on open license from before these recent changes were made. There are a lot of dead roos, rabbits and foxes at my hand with a muzzle loading rifle and shotgun, from clean one shot kills. Ignorance is all around the world.

 

[Pa-brushbuster71]

Sometimes I forget how Fortunate I am in Pennsylvania, living 15 min from a 3000 acre public land tract, and 45 min from tens of thousands of Acres public land.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

This is getting old. For some reason in the area surrounding where I live people are opposed to allowing me to hunt with my flintlock rifle. Last year I had 3 different people extend and invitation only to withdraw it when they learned I wanted to use my flintlock rifle. This year I have sought out a place to deer hunt with my flintlock because I lost 2 places I previously had. In some cases I would be paying for a lease or a day-hunt opportunity. Already, 2 different people said "okay" only to revoke the offer upon learning I intend to use a flintlock. One person said, " we can't get you closer than 50-yards from a deer so you will be wasting your time and never be able to get one". I told him the rifle is sighted in for 100-yards and I have taken animals out to 140-yards with no problem. He then decided "everyone says they can shoot far but seldom can they actually pull it off hunting". Whatever! The next person said the blinds were 80-yards or less from where the deer should be and that you can often stalk close to them on the creek. I say, "sounds perfect for my flintlock". Downhill from there.... Man says he can't afford wounded deer getting onto neighbors property because they lease it out. Also says he doesn't want a lot of "extra" shooting because it will spook all the deer (?). I explain the accuracy and reliability and past accomplishments humbly. He said, "sounds ridiculous", and "I'm not willing to take that chance".

Well, people have a right to do as they please on their property and as a guest, paying or otherwise I have to follow their rules. It just gets frustrating to here these falsehoods over and over. I have lived in 7 States and a US Territory and never experienced this before. In fact, when I lived "up North" I could get more access with a flintlock than a modern rifle. Some places required a shotgun or muzzleloader and centerfire rifles were prohibited.

Ok enough ranting, I march on. In the midst of writing this I got a return phone call from a young man that said I can come and told me they "Never had anyone use a muzzleloader and never even seen a flintlock" on his family's ranch. He told my he looks forward to seeing it. I am going to make sure to let him shoot it some and maybe come up with an inexpensive rifle to leave with him. His curiosity just might turn into a passion if I get him hooked. We'll see how it goes.

Sadly enough, Im in northern Nj plenty of Space. Folks offer me to hunt their property to observe and keep others out. Seems they trust me and no one else.. They tell me it is yours....and I tell them I treat it as such. I reciprocate as to what I can do for them during snow storms and I reciprocate in return. They need not worry I am there for them in a flash if they need me I am so lucky in this respect...Something really that kind of does not exist today....I am saddened that I will leave it behind as I plan to leave the State. It will be a complete re-learn as I venture to my next Home and surrounding areas. Many People give NJ a bad mark in this respect...I can only say that I will miss those that have been so generous to me...and I am Grateful....so many great Summers at the Lake and People that have been part of our Lives. I truly Thank them.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I only let archers and muzzle loaders hunt my property. I am the only modern gun hunter allowed.

 

[Sam squanch]

Because hunting skills are sadly lacking nowadays.....