Muzzleloader or Rifle? Limited Entry

elk_hunter23 · Dec 6, 2011

Just planning ahead for next year. Have a decent amount of points to draw for either (hopefully). Obviously with Rifle it extends your abilitys to reach out father and get one. But I hear Muzzleloader is during the peak of the Rut Any thoughts on which is a better hunt?

AndymanSavage · Dec 6, 2011

Depends on year, state, and unit. I think that in southern Utah the last 3-5 years the muzzy has had better rut action, but that's just my opinion.

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hangfire · Dec 6, 2011

Assume you are talking Utah, I had a wasatch tag for muzzy talked with several people that hunted both hunts and had more rutting action during the rifle, but like Andy said depends on unit and weather. How many points you sitting on?

bonepicker · Dec 7, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Dec-07-11 AT 10:16AM (MST)[p]What state? Not everybody on here is from Utah. (even though it seems like it sometimes)

BrowningRage · Dec 7, 2011

Seems like the rifle guys pounded them this year on the LE units... Based on that, you might want to lean towards rifle. Plus, if I had enough for a rifle tag, I don't think I'd go muzzy...

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24

onemoreridge · Dec 7, 2011

I been on several muzzy hunts in Utah with family and friends. By the time the muzzy hunt is going the bulls have their cows and are content to stay with their cows and won't leave them if your trying to call them in. We have called a lot of satelite bulls in but the herd bulls seem to be set in staying with their cows. If you have the points for rifle I would go with that.

wymoose · Dec 7, 2011

If this is Utah...I would also do the rifle hunt. You get first crack at them and the rut is usually going well enough to find them. You don't need to call them into your lap if you can shoot 300 yards.

WYmoose

kk · Dec 7, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Dec-07-11 AT 08:15PM (MST)[p]I depends on how many points you have. If you can draw the rifle hunt, it is better. If not the muzzle loader is a great hunt. When scouting for the muz hunt most the real good bulls you find, will get shot by a rifle hunter, it makes it real hard to scout. Draw one and go have fun hunting it, both are great.

elk_hunter23 · Dec 8, 2011

Sorry I guess I should have been more specific in the post. I plan on hunting Wasatch I have 12 points. I would much rather hunt the Rifle, but have been told by others at work the muzzleloader is a much better hunt because its peak of the rut. But from what you guys are saying I'll stick with rifle.

swbuckmaster · Dec 8, 2011

The guys at your work don't know what their talking about.

This state is set up to smash every big bull with a rifle bugling his guts out. Are there bulls bugling on the muzzy hunt? Sure! Are there bulls bugling in July?. Sure!

Deerlove · Dec 8, 2011

If I had 12 pts stick with rifle, 4 or 5 I'd try muzzy with better odds.

woodruffhunter · Dec 8, 2011

I have hunted or helped on, several of Rifle and Muzzleloader hunts. If I could choose? That would be easy; it ywould be rifle for sure. If you don't hit the rut right, the muzz hunt can be tough.

I am not saying its a bad hunt because its not. It would be a fun challenge. However, the hunt you speak of is most likely a OIL hunt. I would pack the rifle!