The End is Near for NY Regular Season

Shotgun Season is rolling into its last few days here in NY state, and from the reports it has been a decent season. The warm weather slowed things down, but the NYS DEC (Dept of Environmental Conservation) is reporting an average deer take this year.

Next week we start our dedicated muzzleloader/blackpowder season here in the Western New York region. Blackpowder hunting has really gained momentum here over the past few years. Mainly, I think due to our restrictions of shotgun only, especially here in Chautauqua County. Almost every other county in NY got this restriction lifted this year, allowing the use of rifles, giving the hunter the opportunity to "reach out" beyond the 100 yards we are limited to with a shotgun. We were left out, and it appears that will be the case for a couple more years.

So those of us who like to take those 150-200 yard shots are left with the muzzleloader. I have seen quite a few of these in the field and at the range. There are a TON of models out there now. Shopping for a muzzleloader requires a good education on the models and features that are most valuable.

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carries quite a few different brands at good prices. Since these are blackpowder guns, you can still order them for direct delivery.

The Traditions rifles are well known and have great ease of use, and priced right for the beginner. Thompson Centers are also excellent products, but rank a bit higher in price scale. If you don't want to mess with cleaning a gun every time you fire it, or don't like the messy black powder, then check out the Savage models that shoot smokeless powder. You may have to check with your local dealer for to get pricing. If you are in Western New York, I recommend that you call Don at Don's Gun Shop in Brocton, who has hunted with a Savage using smokeless powder for several years and has dropped a few deer in the 150-200 yard range. Don's Gun Shop 716-792-4571.

I personally use a Ruger m77/50, which I acquired a few years ago. It has taken a bit of time to get this gun dialed in to my liking, we shall see next week how it does if we get a chance to pull the trigger. My friend whose deer is pictured in the First Deer Ever article is using a Knight rifle that I gave him, I bagged a couple deer with that rifle, which I won in a local raffle.

So best of luck to the NY Hunters as the season winds down. Again we want to get a photo gallery going on this site, so email your picture and story to leearthur@fairpoint.net and we'll get it listed.