pre -flintlock hunting?

[quinnconner]

As it will soon be fall, who has hunted with their wheelocks, matchlocks ,handgonne ? I am hoping to hunt small game with my 20 ga. matchlock.I will post my results and the hunting story.Has anyone hunted suirrels or rabbits or even big game?I am very curious.I wonder if the burning match fumes will spook game or not???

 

[SquirrelsaurusR]

I haven't yet, but I hope to. I'd like to get a handgonne around 20 gauge and use it for small game. Doc Carlson, who writes for Blackpowder Hunting, took a deer with a matchlock musket (I think it was a 12 gauge).

 

[capnwilliam]

Another consideration about the burning fuse: does it pose a risk of forest fire? Is there any law against walking the woods with one burning? Also, is the gun itself legal to hunt with?

Capt. William

 

[musketman]

Will the smell of the wick burning scare deer?

Can deer smell nitrated cord burning?

 

[Leonredbeard]

moosketman,
I don't know of this personally, but, my paternal uncle, Mart, always smoked a cigar in the deer woods. He claimed the smoke masked the human scent. I have read that smoke is normal in the forest to deer and they are not alarmed by it. I would think that match cord would not scare the deer. Its smell is not all that much different from the cigar or cigarette. I know of another man who always built a fire while on stand, to keep warm. He shot many a deer while standing next to his fire. :results: :m2c:
God bless.
volatpluvia

 

[quinnconner]

I plan on being very careful with the burning fuse or match in case of forest fires.It has been pretty damp this summer here in Pa..Our small game regulations say that a muzzle-loader shotgun is legal for small game hunting.They dont give specifics on ignition system.I have an uncle that is a deputy game warden.He says It is legal for the small game or even the early antler-less deer muzzle-loader season.It isnt legal for the late-flint-lock season.It is a 20ga. smoothbore and is loaded from the muzzle.Handgonnes should be legal for our small game and early muzzle-loader season also.I am gonna try it out obn squirrels and maybe even a rabbit.I dont know about deer hunting with the matchlock.Maybe some afternoon, I will take it out and see what happens.It is acurate enough at 50 yards or less.

 

[SquirrelsaurusR]

btt

 

[amccall]

I have talked to a few people that have hunted with match locks and they say the smoke does not scare off game as much as you would think. You will have to be aware of the wind direction more to improve you chances, but it is being done by others. The funiest thing that I could imagine is someone dressing up in character as a 15th to 16th century individual with blaze orange, during deer hunting season. I would pay good money to see a DNR officer's face after they see that person going through the woods. :crackup:

 

[bezoar]

Only thingis you could end up in big trouble if caught with a matchlock when theres a burning ban for the area.

 

[Bob J]

Burnin wick might make good cover scent! :winking: