New Mexico - Long Range Muzzleloader Elk Hunt

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rj ︈

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I was watching this video last night. It is a couple guys who went muzzleloader hunting in New Mexico. Great video overall, but one thing stuck out to me. They were taking 400+ yd muzzleloader shots at elk. Spoiler, they were successful and it looked to work very well.

I just figured some of you might be interested in seeing this – I would assume they're using something like this: CVA Paramount – but am curious if anybody else knows better.

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Personally, I do not muzzleloader hunt for the challenge or the tradition of it, so I'm all for this. If everyone did this, it would probably mean there are less opportunities and maybe some areas would go to archery only instead of archery/muzzleloader. I just want to be able to go hunting more often with more access, and I want to do that with the most effective tool that is legally allowed. Some of the places that I hunt do not allow rifle hunts, so this is a close second.
 

OKRuss

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swampratt

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I have shot a few cross bows through a chronograph.
And compound bows.
My PSE Compound before it broke a limb was 330 FPS. 75 lb draw.
My Cross bow is 330 FPS and less than 320 if I shoot a slightly heavier bolt.
My buddies cross bow is 280 FPS and he has a cheapy junker one that is in the 220 fps area.

My Hoyt compound was 285 fps.
I have not shot my Recurve through it but it is long and slow but has put more meat on the table.
 

Dorkus

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As it should be IMO. Nothing "primitive" about inline MLs with scopes. Those should be in rifle season. I am of the same opinion on cross bows too but that's another topic all together.
We will have to disagree on scopes. I just can't see with iron sights with my eyes, one is in focus but not the other. This would lead to wounded deer and if you don't like scopes on ML, don't use them.

That is the solution and to be frank, if you don't like inlines or crossbows, don't use them. Others that do like them are not harming you by getting to enjoy the outdoors with one.
 

BobbyV

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We will have to disagree on scopes. I just can't see with iron sights with my eyes, one is in focus but not the other. This would lead to wounded deer and if you don't like scopes on ML, don't use them.

That is the solution and to be frank, if you don't like inlines or crossbows, don't use them. Others that do like them are not harming you by getting to enjoy the outdoors with one.

Yep . . . it's pretty crazy how stuff like this can divide the hunting community. Much like baiting, etc.
 

Dorkus

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Yep . . . it's pretty crazy how stuff like this can divide the hunting community. Much like baiting, etc.
I agree, hunters are our own worst enemies.

If we wanted to really argue about scopes and crossbows, people could counter by saying for archery, anything other than a recurve is "cheating". So sell your $2000 compound set up and go wood and string. A compound is nothing but a recurve with training wheels is what I have been told.

I say to each their own and if it is legal have fun with what you want. Heck, I am even looking at a air bow now that they are legal. Sounds fun!
 

OKRuss

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I agree, hunters are our own worst enemies.

If we wanted to really argue about scopes and crossbows, people could counter by saying for archery, anything other than a recurve is "cheating". So sell your $2000 compound set up and go wood and string. A compound is nothing but a recurve with training wheels is what I have been told.

I say to each their own and if it is legal have fun with what you want. Heck, I am even looking at a air bow now that they are legal. Sounds fun!
Dorkus and BobbyV, I agree with both of your stances and we do need to keep/recruit hunters so definitely not trying to start a pi$$ing match. I just think the cross bow and inline ML should be in a rifle season UNLESS you have a medical reason. Blew a shoulder out and can't draw a compound/recurve/longbow, then get an exception to use cross bow during archery season. If you need a scope on your cross bow or ML, it should be used during rifle season IMO unless a documented medical reason exists. Too many folks IMO that will just make something up to increase their chances of success in the field. To me, part of archery hunting is getting close(under 30 yds) and being able to draw my bow(compound) without being detected. It's not sitting in an enclosed blind 50-75 yards away with a loaded/drawn cross bow on a bipod/tripod stand and a 3-9 powered scope I just have to lean into and pull the trigger. That's shooting not hunting IMO.

Somewhere there has to be a line drawn or you're going to end up going to limited draw licenses due to the fact that more game animals are being taken than biologists deem fit. Part of that would be due to advancements in technology. Longbow with no sights and wooden arrow with flint knapped broadheads would be before recurves so those shooters are "cheating" too.

I spent most of my hunting years in CO and guess I'm a little biased on their approach on what "qualifies" as an acceptable weapon for each season(archery, ML, rifle). No cross bows in archery season without a medical reason. No inline ML or scopes during ML season.
 

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