Published -- 10/9/02
Written by Frank Carbone Jr.
Outdoor Liaisons
Published -- 10/9/02
Written by Frank Carbone Jr.
A Black Powder Buck
Black Powder Hunting for Deer and Bear in NYS
Front end loaders, coal burners, pellets, sabots, maxi-balls, percussion caps, pyrodex, in-line, nipples and many other terms -- known very well by those who have been evolving along with modern day muzzleloading in New York State - but at the same time may be alien to others who haven’t explored yet another method of hunting in NYS.
The special Muzzleloading seasons here in NYS (and many other states) extends the hunting and outdoor recreational
times afield of all who try this interesting and diverse hunting implement. Modern muzzleloaders are much different than my first muzzleloader -- a Thompson Center Arms Hawkin -- that I’d purchased from Barry Stegal of the Town of Newburgh about 20 years ago. I also built another Thompson Center Hawkin Muzzleloader from a kit that I gave to one of my sons. These were both considered percussion types with an exposed (side-lock) hammer and early on we used regular black powder or the modern equivalent Pyrodex.
And about four years I purchased another Thompson Center Black Powder firearm but more efficient than my first percussion type muzzleloader. This particular muzzleloader is called an inline muzzleloader and this term means that the percussion cap, nipple, powder or pellets (made of pyrodex) are directly inline with each other component and this greatly improves the efficiency of this popular firearm.
Still a few hunters today elect to use the same primitive versions of these firearms that served to shape America in the 1700’s and 1800’s. Muzzleloaders back then were used to put meat on the table as well as defend the early settlers from a takeover and invasion by a foreign and oppressive government and to a lesser degree for personal protection.
Today we need our modern firearms to a greater degree for personal defense, home defense and homeland protection.
My muzzleoader of choice today is a Thompson Center Arms “ThunderHawk.” It has a 21 inch stainless steel barrel and it can use either ordinary black powder, Pyrodex or Pyrodex pellets. It is an inline design and it is a very comfortable firearm to shoot as well as being very accurate.
A legal muzzleloader for big game hunting this year in NYS can have a mounted scope. But it must shoot a projectile that is at least .44 caliber or larger. Please be sure to read the NYSDEC regulations that apply to your region of the state before you venture afield. Of course there may also be additional regulations in your county or town that regulate hunting and hunting implements.
Modern Muzzleloaders have come a long way ballistically, ease of use and maintenance. And even though this legal hunting implement for big game, can only use a single projectile, shotgun muzzleloaders can be used for small game hunting -- but this particular hunting implement is not as popular yet.
The NYS Muzzleloader seasons vary within the NYS regions and the regulations within those regions also vary. For the most part the Adirondack (Northern) Zone season begins on October 12th and ends on the 18th -- the day before the Adirondack regular rifle opener.
In the Southern Zone the Muzzleloader post season opens on December 11th and ends on December 17th. Be sure to check your regulation's guide for other specific information.
If you haven’t tried a muzzleloader yet, check with a buddy or your club’s muzzleloader group to shoot this versatile hunting implement. You may be pleasantly surprised by it’s accuracy and feel.
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The regular small game season is underway in our region opening on October 1st.
Squirrel season previously opened September 1st and there was also an early
goose season during September.
I can understand that many non-hunters who know little about the NYS hunting seasons, and country culture, may be alarmed when they hear gunshots in the early Fall. Many folks who move from the city and hear gunshots for the first time may equate them with criminal activity. I’ve received reports from different hunters who were surprised by local law enforcement while legally hunting in the early goose seasons.
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On October 2nd I attended the 2nd informational meeting on Orange County’s
evacuation plans. This meeting was held in the Middletown City Hall and
conducted by Orange County Legislators Tony Marino (D), Bonnie Kraham (D)and
Jeff Berkman (D). Attendance was very sparse -- about 20 folks -- perhaps
because most folks didn’t hear about the meeting or just didn’t have any
interest. Legislator Marino stated that other prominent folks were invited but
declined to participate in the public meetings. I noticed that a good percentage
of the speakers and those in attendance were employees of Indian Point. I
realize these folks are protective of their own jobs and their company -- and
some communities are calling for the shutdown of Indian Point -- but I think
that Indian Point may need to hire better PR folks. I recently received a flier
in the mail re Indian Point and an ex-FBI manager, watched a TV program with
Indian Point management and attended a meeting that included Indian Point
employees -- none of these have put my mind a ease.
I attended one of the informational meetings on Indian Point, held months ago, in White Plains. There were so many folks who turned out for that particular meeting that the meeting room filled to capacity and folks had to be turned away.
Even though White Plains is about the same distance from Indian Point as is the city of Newburgh and New Windsor. It appears that there is more concern by the residents South of Indian Point and East of the Hudson River.
I understand that part of the evacuation plan in Southern Orange County is to bus school children North in the event of a problem at Indian Point. This may not be a good idea if the wind direction is in the direction that the evacuees are being transported. This plan needs to be made public and more Orange County public servants at all levels need to get involved as well as the best experts in the field. This must include the town, county, state and federal levels. It has been a year since the World Trade Centers disaster and the Orange County evacuation plan still hasn’t been made public.
It’s important that I repeat that I’m grateful to those few Orange County Legislators, mentioned above, who have taken the initiative to plan and hold these informational meetings -- we need to support and applaud their efforts. One more meeting is planned, for now, and it will be held on October 23rd, 7:00 PM at the Little Britain Grange in New Windsor on Route #207 east of Drury Lane.
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If you’re planning to hunt or just getting out in the Fall woods remember to
wear some fluorescent orange.
Always be sure of your target and beyond. Always keep your finger off of the trigger until you’re ready to fire. And always keep the muzzle of your firearm pointed in a safe direction even if you know that it is unloaded. Make a camera part of your hunting, fishing and outdoor experience. Have a safe and productive Small Game and Big Game Archery seasons. Locally the archery big game season opens on October 15th. Be sure to read the regulations before going afield.
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Outdoor Liaisons appears every other week in the Times - Frank can be reached at
the Times or email forthebirds39@earthlink.net or 845-562-0941. Please visit my
website at
www.outdoorliaisons.com