Page 1 of 2

Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:01 pm
by waspocrew
I've been toying with the idea of getting into muzzleloading , but I haven't really had to chance to mess with one much. I went scouting for elk on the opener for muzzy deer in what is now the Cache unit and I only ran into 2 hunters that morning... I'd rather take that crowd than the one I witnessed daily during the general rifle hunt.

Has anyone had decent success in the North region with a muzzy before? Also, I don't really know too much about them. What should I look for in a muzzle loader if I decide to purchase (assuming I draw the tag)? Any info would be great!

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:38 pm
by derekp1999
I've taken 2 bucks in 3 years in the "old northern region" (one in the Ogden unit and another in the North Slope, Summit unit). Last year I did not harvest but 2 others in my group did (Ogden unit). I switched to muzzleloader when I ate tag soup several years in a row on archery and my grandfather tagged out each year.
I love the muzzy hunt... mid-week opener tends to decrease crowds a little bit, but it could just be that we're all wearing camo instead of hunter orange so it's tougher to notice! The weather is still good, perhaps a little too good the last two years. And the food is fantastic... but that's what I get for hunting with a brother that doesn't care about the hunting and loves to cook.
I personally shoot what most would consider a "budget gun," a Remington Genesis that I picked up a couple years back from Cabela's for $100. Since then budget guns have really turned south and have gotten uber cheap on the accessories (no fiber optic sights, plastic ram rod which makes a quick reload impossible). You're better off now looking at a price point a little higher, maybe closer to $200, or perusing the internet or gun shops for a used one.
Three make or break things (IMO) that I believe I've mentioned before:
1 - fiber optic sights. If you're going to shoot open sights and not buy a scope these are a must. My dad's "budget gun" (Timber Ridge from Cabela's) does not and he won't hunt with it. It will cost us ~$30 to get fiber optic sights put on it.
2 - aluminum ram rod (or whatever other metal). The Timber Ridge has a plastic ram rod that under the downward pressure of starting a bullet will bend and flex making loading impossible. Another ~$30 to get a decent ram rod for him.
3 - easy to clean. On my Genesis I back out the breech plug and start cleaning, but on the Timber Ridge you have to take apart the "action." I'm done cleaning and on my second plate of dinner (that my brother so graciously came back early and started cooking) and my dad is still trying to take apart his gun. Have the guys at the shop show you how to clean it or have a look at the owner's manual.

I never understood how guys could say that shooting a gun was fun... until I shot a smokepole (I now appreciate other firearms much more as well). I don't know how muzzy tags are going to be handled under the new system. In prior years muzzy tags came out the pile as rifle tags, I don't know if there will be designated muzzy tags now or if they will still all come from the same allotment.

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:59 am
by one hunting fool
+1 on dereks post.
I have a dedicated tag and before that I took my 2 boys hunting with the muzzy. They both tagged out each year we hunted muzzy. I have not tagged on the muzzleloader only because I have the rifle then the Achery extended hunt.
there are lots that think you need the most expesive weapon but really I would take a CVA wolf as a great begginers gun. easy to break down shoots 209 primers and you can take the breach plug out with yout fingers. best of all you can pick them up new for about 180.
here is a picture of my boys sunday morning bucks just so you knoow muzzy season opens on Weds. So they had been pushed a bit but we tagged both by 10:30am
Image
this is a picture of my buddy and his son's first buck the same season. We took him out after school opening day. Just so you know he shot the small one in the group.
Image

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:36 pm
by derekp1999
one hunting fool wrote:there are lots that think you need the most expensive weapon but really I would take a CVA wolf as a great beginners gun.
If you're a big dude (by that I mean tall, like about 6') like me the Wolf could be a little short. I think it's a 24" barrel & 39" in overall length, the stock is a bit shorter so it was not very comfortable for me but would be a great little gun for a teenage beginner. I looked at the CVA Buckhorn and liked it, it's in that same price range and was much more comfortable in my hands (24" barrel & 42" overall length).

Good looking bucks One Hunting Fool. That last buck looks nice and heavy.

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:32 am
by dahlmer
+1 derekp1999

I use a Thompson Omega. It has a little higher price point, but I have been very happy with it. I got mine on sale for about $300 and switched out the rear sight for a peep. 2010 was the first year I hunted with it, but it was an absolute blast. We saw a lot of deer and everybody had opportunities. We saw a few other elk hunters, but not a single deer hunter. Hunted the same area this year with a rifle and ran into other hunters nearly every day.

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:27 am
by waspocrew
Those are some great looking bucks!

The more I think about it, the more I get excited. It seems like a blast! I think I'm sold on it, so I'll be putting my application in soon!
Thanks for the replies and advice!

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:27 pm
by one hunting fool
get on KSL you can find great muzzleloaders there all the time for great prices

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:18 pm
by derekp1999
waspocrew wrote:The more I think about it, the more I get excited. It seems like a blast! I think I'm sold on it, so I'll be putting my application in soon!
Thanks for the replies and advice!
The Clinton Wal-Mart carries muzzleloader stuff, it's not a great selection but there's enough to make me stand there and look for several minutes. Every year right before Thanksgiving (once the general muzzleloader elk season closes in mid-November) they clearance everything out. I usually let my wife know if I've got my eye on any particular items when she goes and does the grocery shopping she let's me know when they cut the prices. I've picked up Pyrodex pellets and some other little tools or packs of bullets to try out at up to 50% off the regular prices. It's worth a look to see if your local Wal-Mart carries that stuff, too. I'm all about picking stuff up on the cheap!

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:41 am
by one hunting fool
waspocrew. if you put in for the box unit I may be able to get you on some bucks. No real trophy's that I have been seeing but I could get you into some bucks for sure. let me know

Re: Should I go for a Muzzy General Buck Tag??

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:06 am
by gizmo1
I like traditional muzzies. I have a58 cal. 1862 Enfield and a 54 cal Hawken. Love them both. The new inlines are great and all but there is just somethin cool about traditional historic pieces. you can get reproduction rifles for the same price as inlines. Go to Dixie gunworks website and they have everything for both the new breed and traditional.