New Muzzleloader season this year - not sure i like it

[KahrMan]

In the past you generally had the first week in November as archery(1-7), 2nd week muzzleloader(8-14), 3rd week back to archery then gun season opened around 20th(give or take a day or two).

This year archery runs from November 2-6 then muzzleloader goes from 7-20 and gun season open on the 21st.

Muzzleloaders these days are for all intense purposes just as effective as guns, especially in middle Tn where your average shot is probably under a hundred yards. It was nice having a buffer week of archery before gun season opened up. You had less people and noise in the woods that week. Now you are going to be hearing gunshots from the 7th on.

I bet that when the stats come out after the season that opening weekend harvest numbers are going to be way down.

Anybody else have any thought on this?

[Guest redbarron06]

Actually I think harvests will be up all the way through the season. We have had a pretty mild summer, plenty of rain, and good food supply. They have had a couple of years to recover from that bad year with the late frost, drought, blue tounge and stuff.

[KahrMan]

I agree that the overall harvest will probably be up but I think opening weekend will be down. I think the longer muzzleloader season takes some of the excitement away from opening weekend.

[Guest redbarron06]

I agree that the overall harvest will probably be up but I think opening weekend will be down. I think the longer muzzleloader season takes some of the excitement away from opening weekend.

Are you are reffering to opening weekend of gun season? I dont think it will have an effect on the opening weekend of ML. Normally around here ML starts right around the good part of the rut. Plus or minus a couple of days. My sucess on opening weekend of ML has more to do with the weather than anything else.

[KahrMan]

Yes. I am saying the opening weekend of gun season will probably be down. Overall muzzleloader numbers should be way up because its two weeks are in early to mid november. Traditionally ml season was 1 week in early November and 1 week in early to mid december.

[Guest Mugster]

I don't think it'll make much difference unless your hunting public forest. I guess we'll have to see. But yeah, if I was stuck on public land I'd be peeved.

[Guest redbarron06]

It might cause them to be a little shy but after the chase they doe up and dont move much any way. I am not sure it will have a huge effect.

[DaveS]

Bow season opens in September, Muzzleloader/Archery comes in together for the first two weeks in November. Since I love hunting with my "Flintlock", that makes for an awesome season!

[DaveS]

I believe Muzzleloader runs from November 2nd thru November 20th, for unit L.

[KahrMan]

I believe Muzzleloader runs from November 2nd thru November 20th, for unit L.

Archery only from 11/2 thru 11/6 then muzzy from the 7th thru the 20th.

These dates are for Unit L, A and B

From the TWRA Regs:

Archery

(includes crossbows)

Sep. 26 – Oct. 30, 2009

Nov. 2–6, 2009

dec. 7–18, 2009

Muzzleloader and Archery

Nov. 7–20, 2009

[DaveS]

My bad...I looked at the wrong thing! But anyways....I don't think it will have much effect on the centerfire season. I always get "bigboy" with my "rocklock" anyways.

[Guest WestTN_reb]

I love that muzzleloading season has been extended. Unlike many out there, I don't use one of those fancy "modern rifle type" muzzleloaders. This year, I'll be sporting a flintlock southern longrifle.

[DaveS]

You can't beat a long rifle!