Wish Me Luck

[Dadof8]

I'm so excited because in a few hours, I will be leaving for my first blackpowder deer hunt. Deer season opens in Missouri 30 minutes before sunrise tomorrow morning.

Many of you have years of experience and have done this blackpowder hunt many times. I feel an excitement about deer hunting that I haven't experienced in years. I'm looking forward to just loading that .54 cal GPR for the first time in a hunting situation. I loaded 4 empty film canisters with 80 grains of Pyrodex P last night.

Lookout, here I come!

Dadof8

 

[roundball]

I feel an excitement about deer hunting that I haven't experienced in years.

I'm looking forward to just loading that .54 cal GPR for the first time in a hunting situation.

I loaded 4 empty film canisters with 80 grains of Pyrodex P last night.

I'll be glad to wish you luck...since switching to muzzleloaders it's made hunting far more satisfying for me than years of centerfires.

And remember...excitement and adrenalin are great...just don't forget to "breath" good full normal breaths during all that when you see one step out !
:g

NOTE about the film cannisters...I tried than once and had them in a side pocket where I must have leaned up against a tree or something and "sprung" a cannister or two open without realizing it...loose powder everywhere...so be aware that can happen, and it might be wise to drop them into a strong ziploc bag first in case something like that happens to you.

 

[Dadof8]

Well, the experience was good, but no meat was to be had.

My 14 year old son was with me. We only saw 2 deer Saturday afternoon and that was through thick brush with no chance of a shot.

Even though there were no deer to be had, I had two priceless days sitting in the woods with my 14 year old son.

The bummer part was coming home Sunday night. We were on I-70 in central Missouri when my Suburban just died. It was like I reached down and turned the key off. Everything was running fine up to that point.

I called AAA and they hauled it in to a repair place. I had to call the wife to drive about 65 miles to pick us up. It turns out that the fuel pump went out. Oh well, at least that will be fixed.

I'm looking forward to next weekend.

RB, thanks for that headsup on the film cannisters. This is one reason I love this forum, everyone has already tried everything possible and can let you know about the positives and negatives. It's like my oldest son's baseball coach use to tell them, "Learn from other peoples' mistakes."

Dadof8

 

[Stumpkiller]

Years ago I got a bunch of Nalgene test sample bottles from a backpacking store. They are about the size of a 28 gauge shot shell, and have a waterproof, hinged snap-in on lid. Hold up to 120 gr, which is way more than I need. Ask for "pill bottles" at a camping store. Backpackers use them for carrying pills, spices, matches, etc.

 

[Dadof8]

Great idea.

I was already wondering if something smaller like this was available. 80 grains of blackpowder only takes about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in a film cannister. There is a lot of empty space and 5 cannisters takes a lot of room in my hunting bag.

I'll check it out.

Dadof8

 

[Dadof8]

Well, my season ended but with no deer.

However, my 14 year old son and I had 4 days in the woods together sharing a deer stand, eating sunflower seeds, planning a squirrel hunt, and talking about life. Like he said, "Dad, it just doesn't get any better than this."

We saw deer, but didn't get any shots.

I enjoyed just sitting there and looking at my GPR rifle. Man, that rifle looked good laying across my lap.

I also was surprised at how comfortable it carried. It is heavy, but it sure felt good in my hands. I'm already looking forward to next deer season and getting out with the Traditions .32 and pestering those squirrels that pestered us for 4 days.

Dadof8

 

[Flint50]

I just returned from an unsuccesful deer hunt with my 18 yr old son. Only the hunt was unsuccesful. To quote the Master Card commercial-the time we spent together was priceless. Sure it would have been good to bag one (I sure like the meat), but I guess we can measure sucess in different ways.
Spendin a few days in the wild with my son was great. He has his own agenda these days, and for me and him to just shoot the s#$t and be together in the wild was for me, a great time.
Besides, we'll get 'em next year.
The older I get the more valuable the time spent with a loved one :hatsoff:

 

[Gametracker]

Our 3-day first season just ended as well. I'm using .54 GPR same as you for my first ever hunt with a sidelock. Saw 12 opening morning and 4 turkeys, 14 that evening, including 5 spike bucks. On three occasions I had a deer within 10 yards. Didn't want to use my only tag up too early now! Good news. Shotgun shots from my brother's direction. My 14-year-old brother shoots his first deer, a 4-pointer, with his 870 Remington 20 gauge. 2nd day not moving so great. Saw doe and spike plus three cayotes. Early that evening I still hunted in a gentle wind. Heard steps behind me on the other side of a fence line I was paralleling. Turned to see a dandy ten-pointer looking at me within 15 yards. The still-hunter got still-hunted! No possible quick shot, too thick between us. He blew and high-tailed. Day 3 was uneventful to say the least. But I know what you mean about hunting with that old style muzzleloader for the first time. It was a very satisfying feeling experiencing the reality of what I've been anxiously anticipating all year. I kept looking and posing with my rifle and shouldered it now and again. Well, back to archery hunting for a week, then it's another 4-day gun season. I'll smoke me one then, guarunteed!