Missed opportunities

[Canadian Dragoon]

So I have been deer hunting with flintlock for the past 3 years. I hunt with 4 others in a camp here in eastern Ontario and the rest of the group shoot only unmentionables and I brought one as a backup for rainy weather until this year, I’m in camp now with no backup just my 50 cal Traditions Frontier I built from a kit. This gun is a pleasure to shoot (in my limited BP experience) and will keep every shot inside a 6” circle all day long at 100, I’m no sniper but that’s sufficient for deer so it works for me..
this morning I was on a stand as we pushed a large section of bush when a beautiful timber wolf showed up and walked along the base of the knob I was standing on and stopped about 15 yards from me … I cocked as quietly as possible and centred the sights behind the front shoulder and fired. When the smoke cleared there was no wolf just the sound of a few branches breaking as he vacated the area.. No hair no blood nothing so I’m calling it a clean misss.
Pretty upset with myself another just because of the buggered shot but also for failing to take a apex predator that will certainly have future opportunities to kill a bunch of deer/moose in our area because of my failure.
I’m starting to second guess using the front stuffer exclusively because I’m certain if I was using a CF there would be one less predator chowing down on the local deer herd..
What are your thoughts on hunting with traditional vs modern arms?
I’ll be sure to post pics here if I manage to take a deer with my frontier.. meanwhile I want to wish everyone that’s out trying tomfill a tag the best of luck..
Cheers from a crippled old dragoon

 

[Christophero]

Sounds like an exillerating experience. Sorry you didn't connect, but maybe you did? Sometimes spoor isn't as evident as we think it should be.
Take solace in the fact that folks miss chip shots with scoped centerfire rifles, too. You, sir, have a far better excuse!

 

[Loja man]

Hey Dragoon!
Sometimes having a modern firearm certainly would provide that second shot opportunity. Looking back over my hunting career I would say less than 30% of the time I have fired a shot did I have an opportunity for a second. 80% of that time the second shot would not be a wise one…. I am in my early 40s. I started hunting with a pellet gun when I was probably eight or nine years old. This was in South America, where there were no hunting laws so pretty much could go out anytime after school and hunt dove, another native bird that was similar but smaller, rabbit or lizard…. Though I am not a sharpshooter neither I would consider myself an average decent shot…. But if you get bigger animal in front of me… well, I have been known to muff the first shot at close range… part of shooting traditional for me is teaching myself to not rely on that second shot…so hang in thier!! Keep practicing and stay calm

 

[Rancocas]

I had a wolf encounter in the UP of Michigan years ago. By mutual agreement, we each went our separate ways.
I've been hunting for 66 years now. Approximately the first half of that time was with modern firearms. Because I didn't know anything else. Then I was introduced to traditional muzzleloaders and since then I have used nothing else for big game. I haven't kept a tally, but I think I have probably taken more deer with my muzzleloaders than I did with my modern rifles.
I think hunting became too easy for me with the modern guns. Muzzleloaders, traditional sidelock muzzleloaders, provide the challenge I want by forcing me to get as close as possible to the game before I squeeze the trigger. Knowing I only have one shot forces me to be absolutely sure of my target before I squeeze that trigger. (Even though sure of my target, I have missed on occasion. It happens.)
Also, for me, there is the historical factor. I am a history buff, and the historic guns, whether an original or a contemporary one, just gives me a lot of satisfaction.
I have also always had a love affair with antique, as well as modern, double barrel shotguns. I still use them to hunt small game and waterfowl.

 

[andy52]

Just joking here but maybe you had (Wolf fever)... I rarely get that adrenalin rush anymore but it can affect your shot. We don't have those critters here.

 

[Patocazador]

If I saw a wolf at 15 yds. while hunting, I would get a big adrenaline rush whether it was legal game or not.
If legal I'd be trying to shoot before he bugged and probably rush the shot.
If not legal I'd be worried that he was hunting me.
Either way I'd probably be shaking. That would contribute to a miss, I'm sure.

BTW, I am NOT a wolf lover and wouldn't hesitate to try to kill him, if legal.

 

[CuNosecap]

Do you suppose the miss is related to your relative elevated position (stand) and the close range (15)? What range is your 100 yd rifle zeroed at?

 

[Rebel bull]

Wolf =SSS shoot, shovel, and shut up, here

 

[Reds]

I bet you got him. They have a good hide and long hair. I’m sure you gave it a gallant look but doesn’t sound like you thought you missed. Shot a coyote with an unmentionable several years back and had no sign of a hit but knew I could not have missed. Walked in the direction last seen and found him easy 150 yards from where shot. That’s usually a once in a lifetime and there are plenty of deer. I’d search and search for that one. Also fatally shot they will usually run a straight line after the first burst Good Luck and if I was there I would definitely help you search!!! Reds

 

[pamtnman]

So I have been deer hunting with flintlock for the past 3 years. I hunt with 4 others in a camp here in eastern Ontario and the rest of the group shoot only unmentionables and I brought one as a backup for rainy weather until this year, I’m in camp now with no backup just my 50 cal Traditions Frontier I built from a kit. This gun is a pleasure to shoot (in my limited BP experience) and will keep every shot inside a 6” circle all day long at 100, I’m no sniper but that’s sufficient for deer so it works for me..
this morning I was on a stand as we pushed a large section of bush when a beautiful timber wolf showed up and walked along the base of the knob I was standing on and stopped about 15 yards from me … I cocked as quietly as possible and centred the sights behind the front shoulder and fired. When the smoke cleared there was no wolf just the sound of a few branches breaking as he vacated the area.. No hair no blood nothing so I’m calling it a clean misss.
Pretty upset with myself another just because of the buggered shot but also for failing to take a apex predator that will certainly have future opportunities to kill a bunch of deer/moose in our area because of my failure.
I’m starting to second guess using the front stuffer exclusively because I’m certain if I was using a CF there would be one less predator chowing down on the local deer herd..
What are your thoughts on hunting with traditional vs modern arms?
I’ll be sure to post pics here if I manage to take a deer with my frontier.. meanwhile I want to wish everyone that’s out trying tomfill a tag the best of luck..
Cheers from a crippled old dragoon

probably overshot, due to close proximity. happens to all of us. i have done it several times, and it is an easy mistake to make

 

[SOLANCO]

A wolf that is aggressive is a problem with only two likely causes. A female with pups nearby, or rabies.

 

[Spikebuck]

I’m starting to second guess using the front stuffer exclusively because I’m certain if I was using a CF there would be one less predator chowing down on the local deer herd..
What are your thoughts on hunting with traditional vs modern arms?

I think it's natural to second guess anytime things don't go as planned or dreamed of. "What if..." is a natural question.

What we think isn't very relevant because your question really has nothing to do with how effective a given traditional muzzleloader is. What you are asking is geared to how individuals like to hunt and their personal goals, which may or may not be yours.

To my father, hunting was a chore. A job to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. He tried bowhunting with me one year...he couldn't stand having deer inside effective scoped shotgun range and not being able to take a shot with a bow because it was too far. That's OK...he had his goals.

Somehow, I just naturally had a different hunting vision. As a kid I wanted to bowhunt, and that's what I did exclusively, for big game, for nearly 30 years when I added traditional muzzleloading. I was more than willing to "miss opportunities" at game because of self imposed limitations. My modern firearms buddies took more game than I did for sure. Despite that, sitting, watching, learning and not being able to shoot was OK for me. Oh...I wanted to kill game as much as anyone else, but for me, it had to (has to) be done my way.

Only you can make the personal choice of what YOU want out of hunting. Whatever that is, within the law, that's fine. Mixing it up is fine...you don't have to choose only traditional or modern. All one way or the other is good too, IF that is what makes you enjoy your hunt the most. Only you can answer that.