Anyone been out?

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

You are entirely correct about Primitive Muzzleloader Season (s). In PA we had a week of antlerless deer hunting in October and 3 weeks after Christmas. The prescribed arms were flintlock only, open sights, roundball and .44 caliber, or larger caliber. Then things changed: Maxi bullets and conicals were allowed. The October ML Season became "Any Muzzleloader" and the inlines hit the woods outnumbering the flintlocks. We still have the Traditional (Flintlock) Season for 3 weeks after Christmas.

I need to disagree with skeet when he says, "A muzzleloader is just that... a muzzleloader no matter what you shoot through it." That is true, as far as LOADING GOES, BUT there is a world of difference between IGNITION Systems from a knapped flint to a 209 Primer! A 209 primer in a bolt action inline is windproof and waterproof and 100% reliable and a light year above a flintlock with a pan of 4F afield. If the percussion and 209 primers were not more reliable, then all folks would use a flintlock, right?

It takes attention to many details to keep a flinter shooting; many more that a #11 percussion cap, or 209 primer eliminates. I own and shoot three recurve bows, 5 flinters, 4 percussion arms and 2 inlines. My perspective is that I would never say all muzzleloaders are "Just Muzzleloaders." There is a big difference that is real. I am glad PA keeps the Traditional deer season for the Longhunters.

Adam