Hello Say I was wondering the people that hunt the muzzle loader season in Connecticut state land, how are the sightings in that season verses A or B season shotgun ?
I am considering possibly hunting that season for a change, but I was just wondering what to expect as far as sightings do you see more mid day mornings evenings are the deer far less in numbers after shotgun season, sounds like a silly question. I am just used to archery an seeing a lot more than I do in shotgun which I am turning away from, i don't see much on state land other than Lots of Orange lol and have heard of guys talking about far less people hunting the muzzle loader season verses shotgun I know a lot of the deer that aren't shot get pushed off state land. but how long does it take for them to go back or is going to be a long cold day with rare if any sightings
Thanks for any and all info
John

My dad just bought a muzzle loader. I personally have never shot one. I'm excited to see some responses here though.

Lotsa Orange this year. Seems to be a lot of idiots about too. Guys shouting back at each other, non-hunters pushing strollers down logging trails with mutts in-tow (NO Orange or anything bright on).

I think the deer get spooky from shotty season and that spook endures until next year. Best chance is for shotty A season here.

BTW, I hunt Cockaponsett area, so does my partner. Some guys bagged a smallish 9 pointer and a doe there already so Muzzleloader doesn't look too good for us but we'll see.

Rut has been on for weeks now too, getting ready for the smaller rut after Thanksgiving now so, there is hope for that.
Good luck if you believe in that.

We see about 50% less deer on average during the CT muzzle loader season than CT shotgun A.
We saw a slight increase in hunters in the woods this year plus hikers and people riding horses with no orange (crazy!)
All three guys in our hunting group got deer on the second day of "A". Hope to put some more in the freezer during the ML season.