Matchlock hunting?!?

[Jay Templin]

Fellers been arguing at work for years about whether or not a matchlock is suitable for hunting critters that have noses, with the majority opinion being that burning match smells too strongly to allow deer to come close enough to shoot. I got one already this season, so with the pressure off, I decided “why not?”
I was up in the stand with my Dale Shinn 12 bore (90g FFg, denim patched .690) and a hank of match made by soaking hemp cord in hardwood ash lye. After a couple of hours, I noticed movement- eight does feeding their way through the trees right at me from dead upwind. As they approached the clearing, I made sure my match was hot, cocked, and tested- ready for action.

And then the damn dogs that the idiots at the hunt club behind me have left running for a month lit on their trail and started belling. They took off the wrong way and I never saw them again.

But now that I’ve seen that it *can* work, I’m planning to get back out there as soon as I can! We’ll see…

Jay

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I personally wouldn't worry about any smell ... but do feel they'd be better suited for 'stand' hunting ...

Go git 'em! But ahhhhhh ... you didn't wear your pantaloons and floppy hat!

 

[Pukka Bundook]

I think smoke is more natural for the deer to scent than human scent, Jay.
It helps rather than hinders I found!

Hunting with a matchlock takes time, so I have not done it recently, but it worked on mule deer out to just short of 80 yards with a 20 bore .

 

[Sam squanch]

When I was younger, all the old farmers smoked a pipe or cigar waiting for a deer. They always seem to get one. Mostly with a single shot shotgun loaded with slugs, and in bib overalls.

 

[leadhoarder]

Found this video on the youtube.