Montana apparently thinks it a good idea to add a muzzleloader season to the end of our big game season. With restrictions. I have ben trying to logically sort this out since it was passed in last legislature I can not find any benefit on any level. This is nuts! For everyone with tags left that could not get it done during a 6 week archery or 6 week rifle season, you can now use a old school type muzzleloader with lead bullet to go hunt big game for a couple weeks in December.
I am all for muzzleloader hunting, I own one. Grew up hunting with it. I enjoy shooting it. Even go hunt with it once in awhile, when I want a challenge. With traditional gear using a percussion cap and conical bullet, 50 yards is about top end. Especially for elk.
All the animals are coming into winter and need to be left alone. They are now on winter ranges, winter is hard enough on our herds, not they going to be blown out of there. These are the ones that have survived 12 weeks of "hunters" and still have to survive predators. In the sporting goods stores a large number of folks are inquiring about traditional muzzleloaders.
No way this plays out to the good. Shooting a traditional is not same as shooting a rifle. There are going to be far more wounded animals.
Only 2 options are sit and wait or spot and stalk. In this day and age of run and gun who is going to sit? For those with tags left are they going to be able to stalk within 50 yards of elk/deer after 12 weeks of pressure? when they couldn't effectively do it with calls to assist?
If these maniacs are so into muzzleloader why not use it during the rifle season?
This has everything to do with lazy. When do the animals get a break?
This will not be any different then the jerks who show up last of august in a archery shop to get their bow's squared away. Or show up to hunting camp with a brand new rifle that's only been bore sighted. This nonsense happens ALOT... Now our great government just added more ridiculousness to the fray.
I am all for muzzleloader hunting, I own one. Grew up hunting with it. I enjoy shooting it. Even go hunt with it once in awhile, when I want a challenge. With traditional gear using a percussion cap and conical bullet, 50 yards is about top end. Especially for elk.
All the animals are coming into winter and need to be left alone. They are now on winter ranges, winter is hard enough on our herds, not they going to be blown out of there. These are the ones that have survived 12 weeks of "hunters" and still have to survive predators. In the sporting goods stores a large number of folks are inquiring about traditional muzzleloaders.
No way this plays out to the good. Shooting a traditional is not same as shooting a rifle. There are going to be far more wounded animals.
Only 2 options are sit and wait or spot and stalk. In this day and age of run and gun who is going to sit? For those with tags left are they going to be able to stalk within 50 yards of elk/deer after 12 weeks of pressure? when they couldn't effectively do it with calls to assist?
If these maniacs are so into muzzleloader why not use it during the rifle season?
This has everything to do with lazy. When do the animals get a break?
This will not be any different then the jerks who show up last of august in a archery shop to get their bow's squared away. Or show up to hunting camp with a brand new rifle that's only been bore sighted. This nonsense happens ALOT... Now our great government just added more ridiculousness to the fray.