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| Contributed photo/Bill Graves In-line muzzleloading rifles have come a long way from the early models, and components include easy-to-use pre-measured powder discs, sabot projectiles and dependable primers. |
MAINELY OUTDOORS
by Bill Graves
With the rut coming into full swing and with the likelihood of colder weather and more tracking snow, late November hunting should be even better.
Before whitetail season got underway I wrote an article suggesting sportsmen give more attention to urban edge wood lots and farm country rather than the deep woods. My theory has proven out as many outdoorsmen have tagged nice bucks while still-hunting, setting on stand or driving back roads and farm field roads near their homes. On the plus side, more deer are being tagged in the North Maine Woods than in the past couple of seasons.
Ben’s Trading Post in Presque Isle tagged 75 deer as of Nov. 15, and half the season left to go. Last year Ben’s checked in only 57 whitetails during the entire fall hunt. Other regional tagging stations are also enjoying a similar rise in their deer count. On the downside, Thanksgiving is early this year and regular firearms season ends on Saturday, Nov. 24. A lot of whitetail enthusiasts still won’t have filled their tags, but don’t despair, there’s still a chance to put venison in the freezer.
Many of Maine’s wildlife zones offer a two week long muzzleloader hunt to extend the regular deer season. In the Crown of Maine we only get one week, but that’s six extra days to bag and tag a bragging size buck. And when a sport takes a whitetail with a black powder rifle there’s extra bragging rights. The number of outdoorsmen choosing to enjoy some additional hunting outings using a smoke pole is on an upward trend the last few years. In 2011, 15,186 permits were issued to hunt with a muzzleloader, and this group harvested 822 deer.
A special muzzleloading license is required for hunters over the age of 10 and the price is $13.00. Muzzleloading firearms encompass only guns that can be loaded through the muzzle with a single charge and are greater than .40 caliber. Ignition of the firearm takes place by matchlock, flintlock or wheel lock for older traditional models, or by caplock, rifle or shotgun primer mechanism in newer in-line guns. Any style of sight or scope may be used and the barrel has to be smooth bore firing a ball, bullet or charge of pellets.
Aroostook’s muzzleloader season begins Nov. 26 and runs through Dec. 1. While heavy snow cover and harsh travel conditions curtailed participation 10- to 20-years ago, mild weather the last few years favor the sportsmen. More roads remain open, plowed and passable and travel in the forest isn’t harsh either. Seldom a problem in southern Maine, better access has truly encouraged more regional sportsmen to engage in black powder gunning.
Other incentives include the major decline in other hunters prowling the woods. Not only does this diminish competition, but the deer are less pressured and therefore a bit less skittish. A few bucks may still be in rut and there’s a greater likelihood of a fresh covering of snow to aid tracking and trailing. Style and methods for muzzleloader hunting don’t change much from regular rifle season other than you get one shot and it had better count.
Black powder rifles tend to be a bit less expensive than bolt action or autoloaders and there’s a price range for most sportsmen who want to get started in the sport. I was in Ben’s Trading Post just last week and over a dozen choices of muzzleloaders lined one gun rack. I’m sure gun shops in Houlton and Caribou also offer a wide selection. For a full extra week of deer hunting each fall, it’s a small investment. Whitetails are more plentiful so far this fall, so gear up and get out there with a gun that’s truly a “blast from the past.”
