The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of
Blackpowder shooting
The good far outweighs the bad and the
ugly
by Kevin Lee McIver
There’s something special about blackpowder
hunting. When you’re packing a muzzleloader, you feel like you’ve been
transported back in time.
Perhaps I saw too many reruns of The
Kentuckian with John Wayne, or the epic battle scene in The Last of
the Mohicans. Back in those days you had only one shot, and you had to
make it count.
Today, however, modern blackpowder shooters
can rely on new technology to fill the gap between the end of their barrel
and a trophy game animal.
If you’re not a blackpowder hunter, then
you’ve missed out. I killed my first buck with a muzzleloader, and that
one still holds a special place in my memories. Even today, I’ll switch
to a firestick when I want a more challenging hunt.
Muzzleloaders are legal hunting arms in
most states. In fact, many states have special attractions for blackpowder
shooters. Some of these include special seasons, additional bag limits,
and even non-quota, no tag hunts (Georgia WMRs for instance).
The principal advantage in attending these
hunts are you get a crack at some of the best hunting lands before the
onslaught of gun hunters converge on an area.
The disadvantages, noticed I said
“disadvantages” to blackpowder hunting are numerous. You have to keep
your powder dry (just like the old saying goes), you get only one shot,
and the powder is corrosive, requiring cleaning following every shooting
session.
But, if you’re like me, the disadvantages
don’t matter, and you love the smell of the smoke, the crack of the cap
or flint, and the old-time feeling of shooting a smokepole.
Try it just once, and you’ll be shooting
muzzleloaders for life.
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