bow season/muzzleloader season


Doc

Recommended Posts

If your bow season was changed to include muzzleloaders, would you throw down your bow and go out and buy a muzzleloader?

I know that's a weird question, but on another archery forum we were discussing the proposed changes in hunting seasons in NY that would put a muzzleloading season right in the middle of the normal archery only season, and I was surprised that there were some on that archery only forum that were actually looking forward to that change. It sounds like there are some that are only using a bow because of the particular prime part of the hunting year that the season is in. But if given their choice they would rather use a muzzleloader. I was just curious how wide spread that feeling is.

I know we have some admitted "meat hunters" that might fall into that category, but I wonder how many hunters overall have that attitude.

Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: bow season/muzzleloader season

It might tempt me, but in the end I can't think of a greater challenge, than getting that buck to within 20 or 30 yards, getting drawn, and connecting on a clean kill... That personal interaction with those animals draws me to the sport... not to mention the additional challenges that go with the archery sport...

I am quite sure my bow would stick to my hand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: bow season/muzzleloader season

[ QUOTE ]

I dislike this proposed season for many reasons, but doubt I would stay home since I already own a muzzleloader.

[/ QUOTE ]

How much do you dislike it? enough to write letters or e-mails? Enough to attend the meetings in February? I hope so, because we are going to need every voice we can get. I'm afraid there are a lot of bowhunters who will just shrug their shoulders and say, "well, what the heck, I guess that wouldn't be so bad if it goes through. So I get to use my muzzleloader during the early part of the year". I'm just not sure there is really any solidarity on this. I really don't sense that bowhunters are properly worked up into a frenzy over this intrusion, and I think the DEC will probably sense that.

Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: bow season/muzzleloader season

If you were not allowed to hunt with a bow during the muzzleloader part of the season then it would be a no brainer if you love to hunt. If you could hunt using the hunting implement of your choice I would stick with the bow. I am not in favor of the inline muzzleloaders anyway, as they are now more like single shot rifles. I do own a Hawken style percussion muzzleloader in .54 caliber that is a lot of fun to use. Archery hunters are of two types, those who use the achery season as another means to shoot a deer and who would gladly use a rifle if they could, and then there are the true archers, who love the sport, no matter if it is hunting or just target shooting. The true archers will stick with their bows and arrows.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: bow season/muzzleloader season

[ QUOTE ]

Archery hunters are of two types, those who use the achery season as another means to shoot a deer and who would gladly use a rifle if they could, and then there are the true archers, who love the sport, no matter if it is hunting or just target shooting. The true archers will stick with their bows and arrows.

[/ QUOTE ]

So there ya go. The group of hunters who are already in the small minority are split even further. I hate to say it guys, but I really don't see any way that this early muzzleloader season proposal is going to be defeated. It certainly is going to take an awful lot of work by the few remaining archers who are truly against this situation.

Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: bow season/muzzleloader season

But Doc, I have talked to many muzzleloaders (who don't bow hunt) and they don't like the idea either. But then again I don't think they will speak up either. Most of the ml's are buck only hunters and don't care for the doe only week. Granted the people who I have talked to are only from my area so I dont speak for everyone across the state.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: bow season/muzzleloader season

Not to step on anyones toes or start a debate, but I wouldn't mind an early m/l season if it were "primitive" muzzleloaders, not in-lines. Nothing against in-lines, but I also LOVE to hunt with flintlock muzzzleloaders. I own two custom guns that my dad built, and the feeling of downing an animal with such a primitive weapon is ALMOST as good as with a bow. I like to try to hunt in primitive clothing too, but sometimes the weather is pretty brutal during firearm season for that, moccasins aren't quite warm enough for freezing weather. That's the only reason I wouldn't mind an early season, but like I stated, if it were a "primitive weapon" season...sidelocks, not in-line, no scopes....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: bow season/muzzleloader season

[ QUOTE ]

I like to try to hunt in primitive clothing too, but sometimes the weather is pretty brutal during firearm season for that, moccasins aren't quite warm enough for freezing weather.

[/ QUOTE ]

You know, I am pretty much a dyed-in-the-wool bowhunter, but I really can see the appeal to hunting the way you are describing. The only thing that might pose a problem is finding a blaze orange buckskin coat. wink.gif There is no way that I would ever go out in the woods with other firearms hunters (of any kind) dressed in buckskin. Yipes! might as well put some antlers on your head and finish off the costume. crazy.gif

Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: bow season/muzzleloader season

I don't wear buckskin head to toe, was not really that common even in the days, more of a Hollywood thing to be in all buckskin, it's not very warm, terrible in rain... Mostly heavy linen frock, linen shirt, wool shirt, breechclout, brain tanned leggings, and elk hide mocs. To keep me legal, I bought some blaze orange fleece at Jo-Ann and made a Canadian cap out of it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.