While the firearms season for deer ended Nov. 26, hunters had two final weeks to take a deer if they had the right equipment and hunted the muzzleloading season. Beginning on Nov. 28, and running through Dec. 10 (in certain Wildlife Management Districts), the extra two weeks provided one last chance and a shot at redemption for dejected rifle hunters.
Typically, December ushers in colder temperatures and snow flurries. With the woods practically to themselves this time of the year, hunters can often trail a deer’s tracks in the snow or sit and watch a deer crossing with little fear of competition from other hunters. According to the 2005 Annual Wildlife Report, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) reports 18,545 muzzleloader license were sold. While this is a 20 percent increase since 2002, the number pales in comparison to the 177,348 hunters who purchased a rifle season license, proving you can hunt in relative solitude during this two week season.
Howell Copp, of Howell’s Gun and Archery Center in Gray, reports interest in muzzleloader hunting is “growing each year.” Copp believes that the extra two weeks that hunters get are what draws them to the December season.
“That’s 50-percent more hunting than you can get in November, if you only hunt Saturdays,” he points out.
Preston “Charlie” Chapman, of Reid’s Guns and Cigars in Auburn, reports a massive increase in muzzleloader interest among hunters.
“I get at least two to three calls per day from hunters inquiring about muzzleloaders,” said Chapman.
Reid’s stocks and custom orders muzzleloaders and supplies for the flintlock and in-line set.
While muzzleloader hunters are less likely to feel cramped in the woods, success rates are also low, compared to rifle hunting.
In 2004, muzzleloaders took 1,239 deer, a dismal 8 percent success rate. That compares with a 19 percent success rate for rifle hunters, according to MDIFW Deer Biologist Wally Jakubas. The total statewide deer harvest for 2004 was 30,926.
While these stats may depress some sportsmen and women, diehard deer hunters were out in force. But what should hunters know if they want to increase their success rate? According to MDIFW Wildlife Biologist Sandy Eldridge, “Deer will be more alert following the four-week rifle season.”
He also adds that does are still going into heat in early December, so hunters can take advantage of rutting behavior among bucks with only one thing on their mind. Eldridge also notes that tracking snow allows hunters to track and locate deer.
While the figures are not yet in for the 2005 rifle season, local hunters and deer tagging stations reported fewer deer and smaller deer. Bill Locke, of Dag’s Bait Shop in Auburn, reported before the close of the season that the biggest deer tagged thus far was 165-pounds and other tagging stations reported small deer, as well. Several of my hunting cronies went the whole month without filling their tag, so the two-week muzzleloader season afforded them another chance to put meat in the freezer.
In South Auburn, hunters did well during the last few days of the rifle season. With a fresh blanket of snow and mild temperatures, hunter activity and deer sightings went up. My neighbor, Dan Barry, took a 7-pointer on the final Saturday and saw two other deer taken that day. Next-door neighbor Alan Verrill spent some time in two of my treestands and saw several does and a few unidentifiable deer in the final week. A walk through the woods on the Sunday following the final day of day of rifle season showed evidence of several kills in the woods off of Pownal Road.
With the end of deer hunting for yet another year, hunters who were lucky can relax and enjoy a hearty deer steak and relive the memories of the hunt. For those who did not fill their tag, there is plenty of time to plan for next year. Maybe a new muzzleloading rifle will be found underneath the Christmas tree, giving the hunter an extra two weeks to chase Maine’s most popular and elusive game animal, the white-tailed deer.
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