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Smokepole season is upon us. I love this season more than any
other. The rut is about to roll and deer are running through the
woods with less regard for those of us on two legs. Leaves are
falling and colorful and the damp, foggy mornings when we creep
through the woods has a special feeling in the air. This is the
meat getting time if there ever was one or a rack of a lifetime
season if you are so inclined.
Over the years I have made my share of mistakes and I have noted
things that have helped me punch my tag too. It would only be
fitting to share that info with you.
Tips for Punching a Tag with your Muzzleloader
--When sighting in be sure to test your sight in job at the farthest
range you think you will be able to shoot.
--When sighting in try a variety of powder loads to figure out
what works best for your rifle. My rifle does very well with 100
grains of powder or two White Hots. Since I am not a fan of recoil
and the bullet group is tight out to 100 yards I am thrilled with
that. Not only am I saving powder, but also I am also not being
punished for every shot I make.
--While shooting a deer, visualize the vitals and keep them in
mind when placing your bullet.
--Follow through on the shot. Do NOT try to look around the smoke
and see whether you hit the deer. Just make the shot count!
--Remember that sometimes deer will give you the opportunity
for a second shot should you miss. Reload quickly. I have also
had a second buck show up looking for a fight despite the thunder
I just made.
--Grunting, bleating and so on works well during November, particularly
before the rut and just after it. Give it a try.
--On damp, foggy or rainy days try walking around and stopping
at irregular intervals. Stoop down and look under thick cover.
Take no more than ten steps and no less than two or three. You
will begin to see many more deer this way.
--Focus your efforts on oak lots and thick cover, particularly
where the two meet.
--If you are walking to a stand through leaves and the leaves
are dry don’t sweat the noise you are making. Walk on your
toes. Make a “chick, chick” sound vs a “schiii
ick” sound that comes from placing your heal down first and
then your toe. Walk on the balls of your heels or toes. Visualize
a deer hoof and mimic it. I have walked through very dry leaves
and stopped every few steps like a deer feeding along and walked
up within range of deer on a few occasions. It sure beats spooking
them. The trick is to sound as much like deer feeding along rather
than a human sneaking along.
--Wearing blaze orange is always a good idea. But if you are
not going to wear blaze orange at least take it with you in a
pack and hang it near your stand when you sit down. Always wear
it when you are dragging your deer out of the woods too.
--Pass button bucks. There will be more of them than usual this
year due to the bumper crop of fawns due to the bumper crop of
acorns last year and the mild winter. Scope the heads and look
for nubs or an odd shaped head. Take the time to pass deer that
are obviously this year’s crop.
Enjoy the season. It is an amazing time to be in the woods. Take
a camera and a youngster or a special other person with you to
share the time with. May your freezer fill this season!
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