I like the idea of the early muzzleloader season as well my concern with placing it late in October would be that the closer to the peak rutting time it is that bucks spend the energy breeding does only to have them shot. If it is to be a management tool, I think we are slightly better off having it early in october hopefully in theory that the does taken during that time aren' t bred.
It still doesn' t guarantee a bred doe won' t be taken in rifle or late muzzleloading season but at least it provides a pool of harvested does with a higher probabilty that are not pregnant.