Muzzle Loader Tactics

[Fishinguy40]

So I didn't get my deer opening weekend. Right now it looks like I won't be able to get out again until the muzzle loader. Maybe the first week of December.

I have only hunted the muzzle load season once before. I was wondering what tactics people use. Do you still hunt from a tree stand? Are the deer still moving much? Maybe hunt from a tree stand early morning and late afternoon, try to push them the rest of the day?

[Jameson]

I find the food sources, and hunt over it, or as close to as possible. Where I hunt it's not uncommon for the deer to bed down 100 yards from where they are eating. So, sneaking into position can be very difficult. Also have had best luck in the evening, mid-day can have some activity too, but I do avoid the mornings during muzzy season do to the cold temps.

When it's just too darn cold to sit I have tried stalking them. No success yet, but it does seem like they let you get closer than earlier in the Fall. Others in groups I have read have had luck doing small pushes, but I have only hunted solo during muzzy season.

[Fishinguy40]

I will probably be hunting solo also. That is why I'm asking about tactics. I've talked to several people who muzzle load but they all seem to hunt in groups and drive the deer.

[lakevet]

Some stats for you:

2009 had the lowest muzzy success EVER on record (only 11.3% of muzzy hunters shot any kind of deer -MNDNR)

88.7% of muzzy hunters did not fill their tag.

Out of 99,819 antlerless deer shot by hunters only 5,085 were shot by muzzy hunters (5% of antlerless harvest)

Another way to look at it is that 95% of the does that will be shot have been shot before muzzy opens.

And only about 8% of muzzy hunters shot an antlerless deer (5085 shot by 63,282 muzzy hunters)

Only 3% of the entire buck harvest for 2009 were shot by muzzy hunters (that includes any legal buck).

That is 2,844 bucks shot by muzzy out of 94,367 bucks killed in 2009.

Another way to look at it is that 97% of the bucks that will be harvested basically are already shot before muzzy opens.

Only about 4% of 2009 muzzy hunters shot a legal buck (at least one 3" polished antler). 2,844 bucks shot by 63,282 muzzy hunters.

About 96% didn't get a buck.

Makes you want to hunt SW MN where muzzy is buck only doesn't it.

The number of book bucks that all the muzzy media hypes about are rare at best and always will be. Just a marketing illusion. They have been successful in selling millions of dollars of muzzy guns and equipment. And the DNR is selling more licenses. Nothing wrong with this except most people have unrealistic expectations about how hard muzzy is and will push for things (like scopes and baiting) to make it easier. Basically putting pressure on to change the season into an extension of the regular firearms season. Muzzy always has been a difficult season. It was designed to be that way and needs to stay that way. Initially that was why the DNR allowed it (difficult and low harvest success with minimal impact on the deer herd). Now the DNR has changed it's approach to muzzy season. We will see what it morphs into. Time will tell.

You can consistently harvest deer with a muzzy gun. I have done it (on public land), but it is by far the hardest way to do it, and the most satisfying for me personally. My best buck was tracked down. Our group has good success mostly with drives. But a drive is often good only once. Once those deer are moved, they will stay at the new location and not come back (remember energy conservation). Also tracking and drives work best in low hunter density areas. These methods require a much larger land base with no other hunters around than sitting on a stand. These areas are present but definitely fewer than even 5 years ago, and likely will continue to experience increased hunter competition.

Mature bucks move only about 10% of a 24 hr period during muzzy season. Cold weather, recovery from rut make energy conservation more important than food, especially in this neck of the woods.

Thus most people track or drive deer, or sit on a real prime food source. The number of these areas are far less than during earlier seasons and competition for these spots among hunters is increasing. Especially prime food sources that are consistent year to year. And in areas where hunters targeted a trophy buck and have chased him thru archery, firearms, and now muzzy season and feel that it is "MY buck" and defend turf that the buck is using. We ran into that last year.

If you are solo and new to the sport, plan on this year being a scouting year. Do a lot of still hunting with the intention of learning how deer are using your area. This usually is very different from a couple weeks ago. Have fun and be courteous to others. Traditionally muzzy hunters are a friendly group and very courteous, this unfortunately is changing, but please do your part to make it an enjoyable experience for all.

Oh, and hope for early ice and a hot bite so you have less competition in the woods.

lakevet

[paceman]

I will watch the weather and hunt mostly afternoons. With a storm or weather switch on the way I will hunt a trail leading to a food source. in my case an alfalfa field that I know they are feeding in. I hope we get a little snow by then so finding the fresh tracks/trails will be easier. If the weather is mild I will go out in the morning as well and hunt a funnel from the field to the bedding.