Southern Zone Question

[tughillhunter]

Can you use a muzzleloader during regular season in shotgun only zones? I'm asking for a work friend, as I don't typically hunt southern zone, and own a shot gun. I have looked all over DEC website, and haven't found anything, probably because I'm internet dumb. Thank you for any and all advice.

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[turkeyfeathers]

Yes you can.

[Hock3y24]

Yup

[wolc123]

I used a ML in a shotgun-only zone for about 10 years.  I killed every deer I shot at with it during that stretch in regular gun season, and another during ML season, (7  total).  I stopped using it during regular season when I was not able to recover a buck that I hit at a range of about 150 yards.   I had a nice rest, a 7X scope and a standing, quartering-away buck.  I was very confident in making that shot and had practiced at that range.   After the shot, the buck ran thru a creek and across an open field, then across a road and into another mostly open field with some clumps of brush.   There was about 4" of fresh snow on the ground.   He showed no reaction of a hit and even appeared to slow down and check for traffic prior to crossing the road. 

 

I assumed that he was hit and followed the tracks as far as I could, until loosing them in the brushy field about 300 yards from where he stood at the shot.   I spent a lot of time at that sight looking for hair or blood on the snow, finding none.   There was also not a drop of blood along the entire trail in the fresh snow.   After several hours of grid-searching I wrongly assumed that the shot must have missed.   A week later the crows helped me find him in a clump of brush about 25 yards from the furthest point I had searched,   The coyotes had eaten well.   The shot likely struck close to my point of aim and the bullet may traveled diagonally into the rib-cage, clipping one lung but not exiting.   The 240 gr bullet driven by 100 grains of pyrodex from the 50 cal ML simply lacked the energy at that range to get the job done.

 

That is why I will never again use a ML during a season where a rifled shotgun is legal.  Even though it always hit right where I aimed and killed every deer, that one I lost to the coyotes will always haunt me   The bolt-action 12 gauge shotgun I use now packs double the energy at 150 yards,  is just as accurate, and provides two extra shots.   I actually knocked a doe right off her feet with it at 163 yards the first year I used it.  It has killed them every time, often on the spot, and none have gone more than 70 yards after the shot.  I still use that ML during the special season, but I limit shots to 125 yards now.     

 

When I did use the ML during gun season on our farm, I would also take along my short barreled, open-sight pump 12 gauge for "backup".  Why limit yourself to one shot if you don't have to?  That got me a nice 8-point one year when I dropped a big doe (the largest from a group of 6 antlerless deer) at about 75 yards, in the woods.   I only had one doe permit, so I could not use the shotgun on any more from that group, even though they hung around their "fallen leader" for several minutes.   When they eventually did leave, two more deer came along on their trail, each sporting racks.   The smaller one stood right below my stand while the 8-point stood next to the dead doe.  I took the longer shot at the larger-racked deer and he fell right next to her.       

[shawnhu]

I used a ML in a shotgun-only zone for about 10 years. I killed every deer I shot at with it during that stretch in regular gun season, and another during ML season, (7 total). I stopped using it during regular season when I was not able to recover a buck that I hit at a range of about 150 yards. I had a nice rest, a 7X scope and a standing, quartering-away buck. I was very confident in making that shot and had practiced at that range. After the shot, the buck ran thru a creek and across an open field, then across a road and into another mostly open field with some clumps of brush. There was about 4" of fresh snow on the ground. He showed no reaction of a hit and even appeared to slow down and check for traffic prior to crossing the road.

I assumed that he was hit and followed the tracks as far as I could, until loosing them in the brushy field about 300 yards from where he stood at the shot. I spent a lot of time at that sight looking for hair or blood on the snow, finding none. There was also not a drop of blood along the entire trail in the fresh snow. After several hours of grid-searching I wrongly assumed that the shot must have missed. A week later the crows helped me find him in a clump of brush about 25 yards from the furthest point I had searched, The coyotes had eaten well. The shot likely struck close to my point of aim and the bullet may traveled diagonally into the rib-cage, clipping one lung but not exiting. The 240 gr bullet driven by 100 grains of pyrodex from the 50 cal ML simply lacked the energy at that range to get the job done.

That is why I will never again use a ML during a season where a rifled shotgun is legal. Even though it always hit right where I aimed and killed every deer, that one I lost to the coyotes will always haunt me The bolt-action 12 gauge shotgun I use now packs double the energy at 150 yards, is just as accurate, and provides two extra shots. I actually knocked a doe right off her feet with it at 163 yards the first year I used it. It has killed them every time, often on the spot, and none have gone more than 70 yards after the shot. I still use that ML during the special season, but I limit shots to 125 yards now.

When I did use the ML during gun season on our farm, I would also take along my short barreled, open-sight pump 12 gauge for "backup". Why limit yourself to one shot if you don't have to? That got me a nice 8-point one year when I dropped a big doe (the largest from a group of 6 antlerless deer) at about 75 yards, in the woods. I only had one doe permit, so I could not use the shotgun on any more from that group, even though they hung around their "fallen leader" for several minutes. When they eventually did leave, two more deer came along on their trail, each sporting racks. The smaller one stood right below my stand while the 8-point stood next to the dead doe. I took the longer shot at the larger-racked deer and he fell right next to her.

A simple yes would have sufficed, no?

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

[nyslowhand]

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35010.html

 

[tughillhunter]

Thank you so much for the help everyone. Much appreciated.

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[tughillhunter]

I used a ML in a shotgun-only zone for about 10 years. I killed every deer I shot at with it during that stretch in regular gun season, and another during ML season, (7 total). I stopped using it during regular season when I was not able to recover a buck that I hit at a range of about 150 yards. I had a nice rest, a 7X scope and a standing, quartering-away buck. I was very confident in making that shot and had practiced at that range. After the shot, the buck ran thru a creek and across an open field, then across a road and into another mostly open field with some clumps of brush. There was about 4" of fresh snow on the ground. He showed no reaction of a hit and even appeared to slow down and check for traffic prior to crossing the road.

I assumed that he was hit and followed the tracks as far as I could, until loosing them in the brushy field about 300 yards from where he stood at the shot. I spent a lot of time at that sight looking for hair or blood on the snow, finding none. There was also not a drop of blood along the entire trail in the fresh snow. After several hours of grid-searching I wrongly assumed that the shot must have missed. A week later the crows helped me find him in a clump of brush about 25 yards from the furthest point I had searched, The coyotes had eaten well. The shot likely struck close to my point of aim and the bullet may traveled diagonally into the rib-cage, clipping one lung but not exiting. The 240 gr bullet driven by 100 grains of pyrodex from the 50 cal ML simply lacked the energy at that range to get the job done.

That is why I will never again use a ML during a season where a rifled shotgun is legal. Even though it always hit right where I aimed and killed every deer, that one I lost to the coyotes will always haunt me The bolt-action 12 gauge shotgun I use now packs double the energy at 150 yards, is just as accurate, and provides two extra shots. I actually knocked a doe right off her feet with it at 163 yards the first year I used it. It has killed them every time, often on the spot, and none have gone more than 70 yards after the shot. I still use that ML during the special season, but I limit shots to 125 yards now.

When I did use the ML during gun season on our farm, I would also take along my short barreled, open-sight pump 12 gauge for "backup". Why limit yourself to one shot if you don't have to? That got me a nice 8-point one year when I dropped a big doe (the largest from a group of 6 antlerless deer) at about 75 yards, in the woods. I only had one doe permit, so I could not use the shotgun on any more from that group, even though they hung around their "fallen leader" for several minutes. When they eventually did leave, two more deer came along on their trail, each sporting racks. The smaller one stood right below my stand while the 8-point stood next to the dead doe. I took the longer shot at the larger-racked deer and he fell right next to her.

Haven't read this much since I was in high school. Lol.

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[turkeyfeathers]

Haven't read this much since I was in high school. Lol.

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So you don't ever read Growalots posts ?!

[tughillhunter]

So you don't ever read Growalots posts ?!

 

Im just kidding. 

[HuntOrBeHunted]

Maybe he just wanted to tell his story while adding the answer.

 

Big deal !??

[wolc123]

Don't worry, no offence taken.   The hecklers here are a great bunch.   One sure way they can get a "like" out of me is to put a little focus on the real reason for any hunters success: our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.   Sometimes he wants them deer  in "deer-heaven" - our food supply, and sometimes he don't.   The weapon used don't matter all that much.          

[ididnotvoteforobama]

I have hunted gun week in Allegany State Park for the last 30 yrs with all the guys , so its a tradition. In the park you can use a shotgun but it must be plugged for no more than 3 shells. (no rifle or hand gun or hunting bear)  For the past 10 yrs I have used my scoped ML, for the fact that it shoots like a rifle out to 250 yds.  Took a 175 lb doe last yr  at 245 yds, I was more proud of that shot than the 10 pt I took at 8 ft on opening day. One shot , yes,  but to me its more of the thrill of the chase ,the accuracy of the shot. I get my bucks and does and the freezer always gets filled.

It works for me because I shoot alot  and I know my ML limitations. I shake my head when I hear somebody unload their gun at a running deer, which they could have taken on the first shot,  if they only knew their equipment and practiced enough to build their confidence.

[fasteddie]

In the past I would take my shotgun opening day of gun season and then my 50 cal in-line the rest of the season . The in-line is much more fun to shoot . 

[tughillhunter]

He doesn't have a decent gun to hunt with, so I am letting him use my muzzie. I just wanted to make sure everything was good in the legal sense. You're right fasteddie, they are very fun to shoot. And if I offended anyone with my reading comments, I was just goofing. Sorry.

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[SteveB]

A 240 gr bullet pushed by 100 gr of any black powder has enough energy to kill 2 deer at 150 yds - if you hit them right.

You either did not hit where you think you did or failed in tracking - neither is the fault or any indication of the mz being at fault.

I used a ML in a shotgun-only zone for about 10 years.  I killed every deer I shot at with it during that stretch in regular gun season, and another during ML season, (7  total).  I stopped using it during regular season when I was not able to recover a buck that I hit at a range of about 150 yards.   I had a nice rest, a 7X scope and a standing, quartering-away buck.  I was very confident in making that shot and had practiced at that range.   After the shot, the buck ran thru a creek and across an open field, then across a road and into another mostly open field with some clumps of brush.   There was about 4" of fresh snow on the ground.   He showed no reaction of a hit and even appeared to slow down and check for traffic prior to crossing the road. 

 

I assumed that he was hit and followed the tracks as far as I could, until loosing them in the brushy field about 300 yards from where he stood at the shot.   I spent a lot of time at that sight looking for hair or blood on the snow, finding none.   There was also not a drop of blood along the entire trail in the fresh snow.   After several hours of grid-searching I wrongly assumed that the shot must have missed.   A week later the crows helped me find him in a clump of brush about 25 yards from the furthest point I had searched,   The coyotes had eaten well.   The shot likely struck close to my point of aim and the bullet may traveled diagonally into the rib-cage, clipping one lung but not exiting.   The 240 gr bullet driven by 100 grains of pyrodex from the 50 cal ML simply lacked the energy at that range to get the job done.

 

That is why I will never again use a ML during a season where a rifled shotgun is legal.  Even though it always hit right where I aimed and killed every deer, that one I lost to the coyotes will always haunt me   The bolt-action 12 gauge shotgun I use now packs double the energy at 150 yards,  is just as accurate, and provides two extra shots.   I actually knocked a doe right off her feet with it at 163 yards the first year I used it.  It has killed them every time, often on the spot, and none have gone more than 70 yards after the shot.  I still use that ML during the special season, but I limit shots to 125 yards now.     

 

When I did use the ML during gun season on our farm, I would also take along my short barreled, open-sight pump 12 gauge for "backup".  Why limit yourself to one shot if you don't have to?  That got me a nice 8-point one year when I dropped a big doe (the largest from a group of 6 antlerless deer) at about 75 yards, in the woods.   I only had one doe permit, so I could not use the shotgun on any more from that group, even though they hung around their "fallen leader" for several minutes.   When they eventually did leave, two more deer came along on their trail, each sporting racks.   The smaller one stood right below my stand while the 8-point stood next to the dead doe.  I took the longer shot at the larger-racked deer and he fell right next to her.