PA Muzzleloader Deer Seasons...

[Adam Helmer]

October 15-22 is the PA Antlerless Deer Muzzleloader season. The Flintlock deer season is December 26-January 16, 2012. Ah, here is a lament, or Tale, of Two Seasons.....

In October, in lovely foliage scenery and mild temperatures, ANY muzzleloader is legal and any sights/scopes. I like my Hawken flinter .45 with Maxis or .54 flintlock with patched ball as I still hunt through the dense woods in my outback. About mid-week, I take out the smoothbore .50 Hawken loaded with patched ball or shot loads for deer, grouse or squirrel.

After Christmas, I wear Mukluks, a Capote coat and have the .54 flinter Hawken stoked with 75 grains of 3F Goex and a patched Roundball. I always carry my 'hawk in the small of my back inside my belt in case of need. We do not need to wear the "hunter orange" after Christmas, so it is my reliving "Drums Along the Mohawk" as I trek toward Fort Stanwix or Little Stone Arabia Stockade..... See you there.

Adam