how far out

[bigtim6656]

i am new to hunting with a muzzleloader
How far out do you guys set up from where you expect the deer to come through at. If it helps or matters
i will be hunting on a bean field with some wood lines that cut the field in thirds.

Then there is a spot on a clover field

I know of a good spot deep in the woods that is sorgoum
One spot i plan to hang my ladder stand is in a semi thick area with a well used trail 5 yards from where i will hang my stand
how close do you set up and how far away is max

[Indiana SmokePole]

Seems like they never show up were you expect them but like I said befor I like hunting wear thickets open up into hardwoods or semi open woods , I have never liked hunting on open fields as the deer ( Bucks ) in our area never come to the open fields till after dark , I still think your best bet would try to find their beddind area and place a stand between their bedding area & the fields atleast 60 to 75yds off the fields as deer will move to a stageing area and watch the field well befor they enter into a open area , and by the time our Gun season opens all if not most of the crops are harvested . But to really get back to your Question I like to set up no closer than 30yds or no further than 75yds from were I expect them to show up.

Ron

[lemoyne]

I have been hunting for 60 years and must admit I have learned some things the hard way, this is one of them.
To close is a bigger problem than to far, no matter what you shoot the best shot for a quick clean kill is 2 or 3 inches over the heart and through both lungs. When I set up I will be at least 15 and preferably 20 yds away if the animal is not that far away and I am in a tree stand I will wait him out. On the other hand 25 to 30 yds is ideal be it bow cross bow or gun of course there has been a feww times when I had to shoot long distance with a muzzleloader or HP, I have taken deer and bear with a PRB at 180 [2 deer 1 bear] but I would not recommend that unless a person has shot compitition at that distance for at least 3 years. Lee

[bigtim6656]

i plan to hunt a ridge i found about 40 yards in the woods that goes down into what i think is either the bedding area or the staging area the hang in before going into the field.
i did find some large buck dropping in the edge of the feild by a wood strip maybe 10 yards in

ORIGINAL: Indiana SmokePole

Seems like they never show up were you expect them but like I said befor I like hunting wear thickets open up into hardwoods or semi open woods , I have never liked hunting on open fields as the deer ( Bucks ) in our area never come to the open fields till after dark , I still think your best bet would try to find their beddind area and place a stand between their bedding area & the fields atleast 60 to 75yds off the fields as deer will move to a stageing area and watch the field well befor they enter into a open area , and by the time our Gun season opens all if not most of the crops are harvested . But to really get back to your Question I like to set up no closer than 30yds or no further than 75yds from were I expect them to show up.

Ron

[Rock Lock]

I'd zero the weapon in at 100 yards if an inline. If a side hammer or flinter with rifling I'd zero at35-50 yards. This way if you are a little high or low you will still be in the vitals. Open fields are spooky to deer. I'd set up someplace around the edges where there is still cover.
Rock Lock

[gleason.chapman]

ORIGINAL: bigtim6656

i am new to hunting with a muzzleloader
How far out do you guys set up from where you expect the deer to come through at. If it helps or matters
i will be hunting on a bean field with some wood lines that cut the field in thirds.

Then there is a spot on a clover field

I know of a good spot deep in the woods that is sorgoum
One spot i plan to hang my ladder stand is in a semi thick area with a well used trail 5 yards from where i will hang my stand
how close do you set up and how far away is max

With ML hunting I sight in 3" high at 100, and then I am shooting thru 6" pipe from 0 to 175 about with my guns. I like to be about 50 to 70 yards from where I expect a deer. Since you have been fields, set up in a corner where you can watch both edges.200 is toofar. 150 is a bit far but doable. 100 is OK since you sighted in at that distance, 50 to 70 is perfect. If flint lock hunting I like to be about 30 yards, no more than 50. 100 is too far. 70 is my limit. Chap

[bigtim6656]

sounds good i have a few spot on the beans fields i can set up just in the woods and still see the field good
the sorgum clover field is square but i have a spot picked out were about 6 trails come togather i can set up in the woods i lose the field view but that where there coming through

ORIGINAL: gleason.chapman

With ML hunting I sight in 3" high at 100, and then I am shooting thru 6" pipe from 0 to 175 about with my guns. I like to be about 50 to 70 yards from where I expect a deer. Since you have been fields, set up in a corner where you can watch both edges.200 is toofar. 150 is a bit far but doable. 100 is OK since you sighted in at that distance, 50 to 70 is perfect. If flint lock hunting I like to be about 30 yards, no more than 50. 100 is too far. 70 is my limit. Chap

[nchawkeye]

Are you shooting a flintlock with open sights?? Or an inline with a scope???
How far away can you keep all your shots in a 4 inch circle...

This needs to be addressed before recommendations can be made...

With my .54 caliber flintlock, I'm good to 100-125 yards...Plenty far for hunting in the woods...
In the evening, when deer hit the field 15 minutes after sundown, I have problems seeing the front sight...

With my scoped inline, I consider 150 yards my max range...

So for ME...I like to be within 75 yards with my flintlockand setup nearer the bedding area so I have good shooting light...

Hunting over soybeans, in the evening, I prefer the inline (or the .243)...

[gleason.chapman]

ORIGINAL: bigtim6656

sounds good i have a few spot on the beans fields i can set up just in the woods and still see the field good
the sorgum clover field is square but i have a spot picked out were about 6 trails come togather i can set up in the woods i lose the field view but that where there coming through

You do not want to be "in the woods" you want to be on a tree that can see both edges of the field
if you even 10 feet into the tree line you will only be able to see 30 yards along the edge that your sitting in. Best to be right on the treeline. Chap

[lemoyne]

As for where I usually put out a bunch of trail cams and go with a spot they show up every day. That way I pick the distance and try to get the right direction ,I usually set up two stands so if the wind is wrong i can goto the other one. If you locate the spots the come out of and go into in the field it ups your chances there. Lee