Muzzle loader deer hunting anyone

[deadeye]

Besides Boar, anyone else going to give muzzle loader a try this year.  I cleaned, dried and loaded the 50 cal. tonight.  I plan to poke around a little on Saturday.  I love muzzle loader hunting because it gives me a chance to wander around a bit without bothering anyone or the deer.  I like to get to areas I never get to bow and gun hunting.  No pressure, just a relaxed hunt.  For a stand, I brush the snow from a log and sit a bit. 

[HD]

The boy and I plan on going out. We have bonus tags we can fill....

[Boar]

Actually I had so much fun hunting with my wife and daughter, I forgot to hold off for muzzy, we taged out in HC. so no muzzy for me, but I agree that its so much more of a peacfull hunt. hardley anyone is out. but on thurs morn i plan on busting grouse tho.

[proangler16]

Doing the Crow Wing State Park Muzzy Hunt Dec. 3-4th.  Think I"m going to just still hunt and sit periodically as I don't know the land.

[Boar]

this is my muzzy hunting

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[K.O.W.]

Good Luck to the smoke pole crowd. I wish it were a quieter hunt but that's not the case where my land is, there's just as many trucks as rifle season but it makes sense really. We leave all yearling and 2.5 year old bucks alone and so do all the area guys so having that warm/hot deer season not many if any were taken. Doesn't make getting one of those giants any easier though, they are nearly completely nocturnal depending on the land/situation you hunt. Tag is gone on a 8 pointer in zone 1, dad always said if you'd take him with your muzzleloader take him with your rifle lol. Good Luck and many will have snow which is nice ! 

[deadeye]

There are a number of muzzle loader hunter in my general area.  A lot of them will probably shoot a small buck given the chance.  Several years ago I had stopped by a neighbors camp during the rifle season and saw they had a couple small bucks hanging.  I showed them pictures of several nice bucks we had taken and after they said "you guys always get the big ones" I replied, "maybe it's because we don't shoot those" (pointing to the hanging small bucks).  Several weeks later just before the muzzle loader season the neighbor called and ask if he could hunt deer on my land with the muzzle loader.  I simply said "I don't think it would make much sense for us to let all the little bucks go and then let you come in and shoot them, now would it?"  Pretty much put an end to that.

[corny13]

In Nodak the muzzle season is always during the second rut on the last week of the three week season.  If you have a gratis tag and haven't used it, its good and Ill hope to use it in a couple of weeks.  Still no snow on the ground  hopefully soon.

[HD]

I picked up my muzzy tag last night. We had so much sausage made, we would like another for more burger. 

[Cody Gruchow]

I'll be slug hunting in the metro still. Muzzleloader comes out next week

[HD]

Did not see a deer this morning. I did witness a white weasel hunt, and catch a mouse. The nature channel was the only thing on.....it was a good time.

[Reinhard]

First time for me.  I will be leaving Monday morning to my deer camp area and will be hunting with my brother.  He has a extra one, and i 'm ready to go.  Looks like the weather will not be that bad next week.  good luck.

[HD]

Good luck Reinhard!

Damp and foggy this morning, but a wonderful day to be in the woods!

[HD]

 

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[Reinhard]

Looks like a good deer trail coming through there.  good luck.

[HD]

Yup, there is a pretty good trail right in front of the stand. But I've only seen birds, rabbits and squirrels so far...

[deadeye]

Went for a long walk from 11-2 on Saturday.  Saw three two does and a fawn. Didn't shoot any.  Saturday evening I sat near a field they had been digging through the snow to eat.  Put out a decoy and saw two does but Mr. Buck didn't show.  Slogged my way across a swamp this morning.  There were pallets beneath me but the snow was knee deep.  Half way across (200 yard crossing) I seriously contemplated turning back but then it would be getting late so I pushed on.  Around 9 I got glimpses of a doe quite a ways off.  After she disappeared, I saw another bigger deer following.  This was a pretty good buck.  Too far through trees, brush, and branches for a shot with the muzzle loader.  I did my best to pull him off the doe but he also disappeared.  About an hour later I got down and checked the tracks.  The buck actually headed towards me for about 100 feet before returning to follow the doe.  I carefully followed them and after 30 yards, while stopped and scanning the woods, I saw the doe pop up from her bed.  I searched for the buck but he was no where to be seen.  There was only one bed as the buck stood guard and did not lay down.  I spent the next half hour dogging the buck, trying to cut in front of him or get him to let me walk past close enough for a shot. The SOB was just playing with me and at one walked in my tracks and then for good measure, walked past the stand I was in.  I did see him a couple times.  Finally I though he was headed out a point so I quickly got to the edge thinking he may be crossing a swamp, but NO, he simply cut back along the edge.  At this time I said "you win" and headed back across the swamp.  After lunch and a much needed rest, I went for another excursion.  This time I cut the fresh tracks of a doe and fawn.  Rather then follow the tracks, I zigzagged until I saw them watching me.  I guess they thought this guy doesn't know what he is doing as the let me pass by at about 50 yards.  Great time in the woods.  Learned quite a bit today.   

[deadeye]

View of decoy in the snow.

[Reinhard]

I was supposed to go up north today to hunt but it's 100% rain up there all day and some tomorrow.  What is up with this weather come hunting time.  The last weekend of firearms was a snow storm and now in the end of November it's rain.  This would have been another snow storm if the temps were lower.  good luck.

[HD]

Raining like crazy out here!

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[HD]

Seen a big doe headed my way, either she whiffed me or saw me readjust...cause she didn’t like what she saw and turned around on the same trail she was on. No shot

[Reinhard]

Hope to see a doe tomorrow.  heading up north rain, snow whatever.  Sick of missing my time in the woods.  Looking forward to it.  Calling for some possible rain or snow up there tomorrow.  I think the deer are moving so hopefully there will be some venison yet this year.  good luck.

[lovebigbluegills]

Good luck RH!!!

[Cody Gruchow]

I'm headed to our property this weekend. Hopefully they hitting the food hard an make my job an stand decision easier

[HD]

I kicked out up a doe and a fawn walking out. Doah!

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[deadeye]

I went out from noon to dark.  Saw a few but nothing I wanted to shoot.  Did some awesome scouting.  Great time in the woods.

[corny13]

The snow came but way too much, 20-24" with two days of 30 mph wind has left 6-10' snow drifts.... prob the end of deer hunting this season for me.

[glenn57]

The snow came but way too much, 20-24" with two days of 30 mph wind has left 6-10' snow drifts.... prob the end of deer hunting this season for me.

corny where abouts you live????? my boss is south of Mandan and he got nailed there too!!!!!!!

[HD]

I saw the same doe and fawn I've been seeing every time I go out.....time to go in for dinner....smoked brisket....yum!

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[Boar]

The snow came but way too much, 20-24" with two days of 30 mph wind has left 6-10' snow drifts.... prob the end of deer hunting this season for me.

corny where abouts you live????? my boss is south of Mandan and he got nailed there too!!!!!!!

yeah...like corney is gona tell you!! ..