Better Hunter with BP

[James Rorar]

Since I stared using BP during shotgun season here in Ohio I find my self taking better shots and and harvesting more deer. I take fewer shots but much better shots knowing I have only one. In years past I might have taken bad shots thinking I would have a chance at a follow up shot. Now I have become more patient, and wait for the best shot. It has lead me to see more and better deer, and has made me a better hunter. The hunt for me now is not just about getting a deer. Just my thoughts.
James

 

[jethro224]

Yep.

 

[temple]

my father has actually given up modern firearms for hunting deer. like you said he shoots less and gets more deer.

 

[Trench]

I've noticed the same thing. Shooting BP actually requires you to use all the fundamentals of marksmanship.

 

[rabjr]

Absolutely. For years I was very vocal about wanting to use our muzzleloader rifles during our shotgun season here. It took a long time but they finally have seen the light and allowed the use of muzzleloading rifles here during the shotgun season. :thumbsup:

 

[Kelhammer]

Im my youth my only shot gun was a .410 single shot. My .50 cal was the clear winner there for deer season. I took at least one deer every year until I stopped deer hunting in "95". I can remember not taking some good shots, being so confident that a better one would present itself. Most of the shots I took were under 30 yards, with the deer walking broad side to me. My shotgunning friends talked about unloading thier guns, at deer 100+ yards away. I would just shake my head, I know exactly where you guys are comming from.

 

[PaulN/KS]

Yep, you learn to watch and wait better...

 

[XXX]

I think it adds to the safety factor too. :thumbsup:

 

[jethro224]

I think it adds to the safety factor too. :thumbsup:

That's the understatement of the year!

 

[PGTMG]

Since I stared using BP during shotgun season here in Ohio I find my self taking better shots and and harvesting more deer. I take fewer shots but much better shots knowing I have only one. In years past I might have taken bad shots thinking I would have a chance at a follow up shot. Now I have become more patient, and wait for the best shot. It has lead me to see more and better deer, and has made me a better hunter. The hunt for me now is not just about getting a deer. Just my thoughts.
James

I would say it has made me a better shot as well. I find a mindset/attitude among traditional BP shooters.

I love shooting and do it as often as I can. I always have liked single shot rifles. A friend gave me a Ruger #1 in 270 Weatherby as a gift. I hunted exclusively with for a while. I can and did knock down game out to 300-350 almost effortlessly. It made me more successful hunter but not a better one.

When a different friend made me a BP rifle I wanted to use it to show him I appreciated his gift. It caused me to read more about shooting them and the history. I became more ...invested in the aspects of using muzzle loaders to hunt.

A mistake BP hunting (like not gently depressing your trigger to soften the full cock of you hammer costs you a deer/coyote/fox/turkey/ whatever) is magnified because it takes better woodsman ship to get that opportunity to blow.

BP has made me a better shooter/hunter IMHO because of the investment.

PS I am so glad I found this Forum (but my Ruger is not) :grin:

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I agree 100%. For me the quality of the hunt outweighs the amount of game got anyday.

 

[Stumpkiller]

In the past five years I've only used m/l for big game except two (a buck & a doe) I took with a centerfire rifle as the county I primarliy hunted in at that time opened a rifle season for the first time since WWII. Other than those it's all been traditional muzzleloaders. I even do all my rabbit hunting and most grouse with my cap-gun single-barrel shotgun.

If I've seen deer, even out of range or no good shots presented, and the flintlock goes off when I fire it before heading inside I figure I've had a splendid day. ANY day hunting is a good day.