Early Muzzleloader 2020

Early Muzzleloader Season has been a dry run for us– a dress rehearsal for the big show in November. This year was no exception. SuperCore, Angus, Moose, Mooselette and I went out Saturday morning with the express hope of not shooting anything, except perhaps a new camp record.

Sunday, we had to keep an eye on the weather. Rain was due in by the late morning. As it was, everyone was out and starting to pack to leave camp when the drizzle started.

It would seem hunters in most of the surrounding counties were under the same rules of engagement. Shooting was very light both days. Bracken County’s reported haul was half of what it is normally. Of course, there was always the Sunday morning flurry of shooting as everyone on all the neighboring ridges fired off their muzzleloader in preparation to go home. However, even that was a sparsely attended event. I counted only half a dozen shots. There were even fewer shots the rest of the morning.

I got to see a nice herd of doe come by to the south of Campground Saturday morning. Angus could have had a shot at a 6-pointer. SuperCore had a small buck and a doe come by for a short visit at the Jagende Hutte.

Saturday P.M. I took the Mooselette out to Hollywood for what is becoming a traditional event, a Grandpa/Granddaughter hunt. Sadly, Saturday PM was void of deer, but we had a good time anyway.

Folks have asked: Why not shoot anything during Early ML? I can give a few reasons:

It is usually warm enough that there is a good chance of spoilage without packing the deer on ice.
Our primary processor, the Lenoxburg Store, does not take carcasses until Rifle Season. This year, they are under new management. We visited for lunch on Saturday. I have spent all day riding around the county with a carcass, looking for someone open.
Kentucky only allows one buck tag a year. If you nail a buck in Early ML, you’ll now be sitting out Deer Camp and the peak of the rut with only anterless tags to fill.
There is always enough stupid stuff that happens that it is always a good idea to do an annual dry run with full kit. However, if you go out on any other weekend, dress to hunt deer and carrying a firearm the C/O is not going to take your story that you were just practicing.
Once, every decade or so, The Big One actually does make an appearance in October. It is a good idea to be ready to shoot.

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