Muzzleloader season opens Saturday

This Saturday, Oct. 14, is the opening of the special muzzleloader season in the northern zone. This is a special one week season for the privilege of those purchasing the muzzleloader tag in addition to their regular hunting season. It allows those hunters to take an additional deer of either sex in most management units.

The blackpowder seasons in New York State are an outgrowth of the popularity of shooting primitive, muzzleloading firearms such as flintlock or percussion cap rifles that fire a single bullet propelled with black powder. During the Bicentennial celebration in 1976 Bill Lloyd of Newport organized a group from Herkimer County to re-enact the march of the Tryon County Militia to relieve the siege of Fort Stanwix and the ensuing Battle of Oriskany.

This event led to the formation of the New York State Muzzleloaders Association. This organization and others successfully lobbied for the extra season privilege of those holding the muzzleloader tag. In the southern zone this season is held at the close of the regular firearms season in December.

There are several reasons for the attraction and popularity of the muzzleloading season. One big reason is the opportunity and enjoyment of being out deer hunting while the weather is usually milder and the deer are relatively undisturbed. It provides a good opportunity to hunt by traditional methods such as still hunting.

There is also the challenge of bagging a whitetail with only one shot which places a premium on getting close and accuracy of shooting. It gives hunters an extra week to pursue their sport, and of course a chance at possibly taking an extra deer.

Originally most of the shooting was done with reproductions of percussion cap rifles which were similar to weapons of the Civil War era. Today most hunters use the in-line muzzleloaders which use shotgun 209 primers and superficially resemble modern rifles. However, they are still propelled by black powder or pyrodex pellets and shoot a single lead ball or bullet. They must be loaded from the muzzle

and powder and ammunition tamped into place by a ramrod.

These rifles are very accurate, although the range is considerably less than most modern rifles. There is still the premium placed on one single, accurate shot. As improvements are made in equipment and more people discover the fun and challenge of muzzleloader hunting, and increasing number of hunt- ers are taking up the sport. Recent deer take reports by the DEC show a significant number of deer taken by muzzleloaders.

SHORT CASTS

Oneida County Youth Goose Hunt: The Oneida County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and Conservation Officers Association teamed up again this year for another successful youth goose hunt. This was the opportunity for youngsters and ladies who would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn goose hunting tech- niques to hunt with mentors. There was a safety day, complete with instructions on techniques and target practice. This was followed by a day of hunting with ECOs and other mentors. This year a total of 26 geese were taken.

Salmon Report: Salmon fishing continues to be good on the Salmon River. Earlier this week anglers were taking fish throughout the length of the river. Both kings and cohos were being caught in all the usual pools in the middle and upper river. The Douglaston Salmon run on the lower end of the river said that there were also a good number of steelhead moving into the river.

Fly fishermen who checked into Whitakers Sports Shop in Pulaski reported that pale colored egg pattern flies were working good. Fish were also being taken on eggsucking leech pattern flies or brown or olive Wooly Buggers. The rain earlier this week caused the fish to move upstream. Salmon have been seen spawning in the gravel areas of the mid and upper sections of the river.