Monday morning dawned with the North Quabbin Region covered with a blanket of new snow. For deer hunters, snow changes everything. The two-week shotgun season for deer closed one-half hour after sunset last Saturday with no snow at all during that season. “Tracking snow” makes all the difference in the world, as it provides hunters with a way to follow a deer’s progress and provides some history as to where deer have traveled, fed, and bedded down.
A fresh coating of snow has been known to create a sudden demand for time off from work including personal days, vacation days, and sick days (buck fever). Many hunters, this one included, hunt differently when there is snow. Everything changes and now deer will stand out against the white ground cover as opposed to blending into the brown that dominates the fall/winter landscape.
My experiences have not convinced me that snow makes me a better hunter, but it does provide “real time” information on deer movement. With a deer already in the freezer, my desire may be a bit diminished, but hunting with a muzzle-loader is always special. The one-shot mentality is invigorating, and modern in-line firearms are really very accurate—in some cases superior to a shotgun in accuracy and effective range. The Thompson/Center Omega that this writer carries is extremely accurate using sabots. A sabot (pronounced (say-beau) is a plastic sleeve which holds a rifle bullet. When fired down a rifled barrel the sabot spins the bullet, increasing its accuracy, and falls away. Also enhancing the accuracy of muzzle-loading firearms is the ongoing improvements in propellants. When the season was first instituted, propellants were either black powder, the same propellant used since pioneer days made from charcoal, Sulphur, and saltpeter (sodium nitrate) or synthetic black powder called Pyrodex. Now there are a number of propellants and some manufacturers have produced pellets that serve the same purpose and are easier to use with less muss and fuss.
The traditional black powder guns used a patch and ball. During the Civil War, swaged bullets were invented that created a gas seal eliminating the need for a patch. Those early guns had rifling twists that would have a complete revolution in 30 inches or more. The advent of conical bullets and sabots led to twists of 21 to 25 inches to spin the projectile faster for the best accuracy. Today’s black powder guns also use shotgun primers to ignite the charge. The evolution from flintlock to percussion cap to shotgun primer makes firearms much more reliable. We all remember the “click” of a misfire or worse, the delay of a hang fire.
Yes, a lot has happened, and allowable modern muzzle-loaders can also be break action or bolt action and are very accurate. My evolution has progressed from the .56 caliber musket which became popular in Massachusetts when rifled barrels were only allowed in flintlocks. When caplock rifles were allowed, a Thompson Center Hawken rifle was built from a kit. When the nine-pound weight became a drag, the lightweight and short White Mountain Carbine was next, and it was a great deer gun. After in-lines were allowed the Omega was added and scoped with a Nikon black powder scope. It does the job very well.
I must admit that a trip to Kittery Trading Post last week to attend a meeting of the New England Outdoor Writers Board of Directors resulted in my shopping and buying Hodgdon Triple 7 powder, the latest black powder substitute. My plan is to use it in the White Mountain Carbine. It does not contain Sulphur (no rotten eggs smell!) and delivers about a 15% increase in energy by weight. Sighted in, it hits right where the black powder hit so no adjustments are needed. Perfect for doing drives and it is so light and quick!
Now back to the snow. Monday’s first fresh deer track found turned out to be a buck that tore up an old scrape. That would indicate that the second rut, when those does that are not bred come into estrus again after 28 days, is on. That will inspire me to get out for a few hours most days hoping to encounter this rack buck in his travels.
The fresh snow also provided a lot of other interesting evidence. The unmistakable single line cat-sized prints of a red fox were fun to follow as the fox investigated every likely spot to find a meal. Later on, the snow showed evidence of another predator, a bobcat, who was also on the prowl. Squirrels, rabbits, and birds also left behind signs of their activity. The gusty wind, which blew snow off the tree limbs, was a pain. Blowing snow creates issues for those who use riflescopes and glasses and snow down the neck is invigorating.
The data snow provides is helpful and Tuesday tracks showed me that a group of deer were foraging in a small oak grove. A week ago, deer were feeding heavily on late grasses, but it’s time for transition to winter food sources. Speaking of winter food sources, has anybody else noticed an increase in birds using feeders? Others have concurred when I ask about how much bird seed they are going through. The amount of black oil sunflower seeds birds are devouring in my yard is off the chart! Since so much of that product comers from embattled Ukraine, the price has skyrocketed. The common opinion seems to be that there is a lack of natural foods and birds are hitting the feeders heavily. They are entertaining so, “it is what it is.”
It is also Christmas shopping time! Hopefully you have had a chance to get out and get some Darn Tough socks at Trailhead in Orange. They are the best gift and fly out of the store. That reminds me, it is time to pen my list to Santa, as once again this writer has been very good!
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the MaharFish’N Game Club, Counselor and Director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.