Nov 22, 2024 Pros of Muzzleloader Hunting Pros of Muzzleloader Hunting By Tony Smotherman Hey guys, I’m Tony Smotherman, and today I’m here to talk about the pros of hunting with a muzzleloader. This topic is near and dear to my heart, and I’ve been fortunate to work in the muzzleloading industry for over three decades. Now, I didn’t grow up hunting with a muzzleloader. I grew up in Tennessee, hunting with a bolt-action .270. In the South, centerfire rifle seasons are far more common than muzzleloader seasons. But over the years, my career and experiences have introduced me to the incredible opportunities that hunting with a muzzleloader offers. Let’s break down the highlights of why I think every hunter should consider using a muzzleloader. Muzzleloader Seasons: A Unique Advantage In the U.S., there’s not just one type of whitetail deer. There are 26 subspecies across North America. While the South has its fair share of whitetails, the Midwest is known for producing some of the biggest bucks. States like Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska offer not only phenomenal deer hunting but also fantastic muzzleloader seasons. What sets these seasons apart? Timing. Most muzzleloader seasons fall right after archery season. After six weeks of quiet bowhunting, you’re the first person to enter the woods with a “bang stick.” Deer are unpressured and haven’t been spooked by gunfire, giving you a significant edge. Early Season Opportunities Kansas is a prime example of how incredible early-season muzzleloader hunting can be. Kansas offers a mid-September muzzleloader season—a rare opportunity to hunt bucks still in their bachelor groups. During this time, deer are highly patternable. They visit the same bean fields, milo fields, or wheat fields daily, often in groups. It’s like walking into a grocery store where you get to pick the exact buck you want. This predictability makes early-season muzzleloader hunting in Kansas one of the most unique and rewarding experiences. Late Season: Patterning Post-Rut Bucks Late-season muzzleloader hunting offers its own set of advantages. By this time, deer are run down from the rut. Bucks are no longer driven by their sex drive but by their need to replenish. They return to their home turf and establish consistent feeding patterns, visiting the same food sources daily. Midwestern states like Nebraska and others provide excellent late-season opportunities. With a muzzleloader in hand, you can capitalize on this predictable behavior and hunt deer at their most vulnerable. Why Muzzleloaders Are Effective In the past, muzzleloaders were thought of as 100-yard guns. But modern muzzleloaders are highly effective at much greater distances, far exceeding the range of a bow. If you’ve ever had a buck hang up at 80 yards during bow season, you’ll understand the frustration. A muzzleloader eliminates that issue, allowing you to take advantage of those longer-range opportunities while still enjoying the challenges and traditions of single-shot hunting. Final Thoughts Hunting with a muzzleloader opens the door to incredible opportunities across the country. Whether it’s the early season in Kansas or the late season in Nebraska, these firearms allow you to hunt deer when they’re most patternable. If you’re not taking advantage of what muzzleloader hunting offers, you’re truly missing out. As for me? I’ll always have a muzzleloader in hand during these prime hunting seasons. What do you think about hunting with a muzzleloader? Let us know, and don’t forget to watch the full video for even more insights! Watch the Full Video Click below to watch Tony’s in-depth discussion with Realtree on the benefits of hunting with a muzzleloader!