Smoke Pole Season!

[HuntFishDude]

After a dismal bow hunting season, and a personal choice not to hunt rifle season, I am really looking forward to muzzleloader season. I'm banking on it to get some meat in the freezer! I'm trying the Ely area for the last week of season, never hunted around there. Any comments, suggestions, feel free to email...

Where are you guys heading? Wondering how many of you guys partake?

Can't wait to make some clouds! Hoping for some snow!

[HuskerBen]

I usually try to get out with the ol' Hawken for a couple weekends. I'm still debating whether I need another deeer in the freezer. We'll see.

I love hunting with the smokepole. It's put a couple deer and a hog on the ground. All of 'em dropped in their tracks.

Good luck to you, and watch yer topknot!

[Heidi]

I opted to skip bow and rifle and just shoot my

new T/C. Have private land to hunt, since the owner's

season is over. Sat in his stand Saturday and pictured

what it is going to be like slowly freezing to death and

having the woods to myself. Good luck all.

[DRH1175]

I have the meat in the freezer but still looking for Mr. Buck since passing on some smaller ones and shooting does. It will be my first year with my new Omega but have shot it a lot this fall so am exited to make some smoke on a deer.

[TrophyEyes]

Heading down to Houston for the Smokepole season. I have meat in the freezer so I am waiting for Buck worth shooting. I will shoot some does to fill some of the other guys meat lockers though. Its all about the T/C Encore.

[brassman]

I am going to go out a few times but not really going to hunt hard since our group is 9 for 7. No need for extra vension so if I do drop something it is going to be donated. There is a buck out there that I want to get so I'll get out a few times at least. I love my Omega but i need to try out my new triple se7en pellets on friday.

[slick814]

Suggestions for hunting ELy area?

DRESS REALLY WARMLY!

It was pretty freakin' cold up there this past weekend, and I'd expect the temp to drop 5 - 10 degrees each weekend of smoke stick season...

ood luck and be safe out there!

[BoxMN]

Sort of an off topic question here... I apologize if its not appropriate, let me know.

I have never hunted the muzzleloader season, but I do grouse hunt (used to a lot more than now). We used to come across some muzzleloader hunters when walking the woods, and we would always leave as soon as we saw orange in trees. But we always kind of wondered if they got ticked off at us.

We were not doing anything wrong, and we stopped grouse hunting for the rifle season to not mess with deer hunters, but if we don't grouse hunt at all during deer seasons, that left not much late season left.

What is you guy's advice on grouse hunters still being able to hunt, but not messing up late deer season guy's hunts. Thanks for any info!

[Wanderer]

Get a big group together and start on the opposite side of a swamp or thick area and hunt towards the pumpkins. We might really like you then

Just be mindful that theres more than squirrels in the trees.

If its public, it yours too. Enjoy! I saw more grouse last weekend than I have in years.

[TrophyEyes]

To answer the off topic question, if you are hunting state property, then make sure there are no cars parked in the area that your hunting. I would also really watch ahead of you and keep your dog very close if you are using one. If I saw someone hunting grouse, I would be mad, but you are not doing anything wrong.

Back on Topic, do you guys use estorus scents, rattling, bleats or grunting still?

[Wanderer]

I will start being more quiet and less smelly - I hope! Subtle calls, if any. But thats just me.

[HuntFishDude]

I've hunted both sides of that question. When I am rifle or muzzle loader hunting, I am moving so its not a big deal to run into people. I try to get far enough out to avoid that anyway. Bow hunting can be exasperating when another hunter gets close, but unless you have exclusive permission on that property, you have to roll with it.

Please make sure your dog has their orange vest on because you never know what triggers some people to shoot. My brittany doesn't go out without it, no matter what other hunting seasons are open. I usually have my pup in the truck so if I see a batch of birds while deer hunting, I'll come back to get him and switch to shotgun so he can have some fun...

Good luck with the birds!