Matador":ztxb6tmp said:
The first season was only 2-3 days long. I couldn't
Justify spending the money for one. I know it was a week long in 1984 because I missed a buck. I killed a buck in 1985 with one. So I think it was either 1981 or 1982 that it first opened.
Think Matador is correct.
I also couldn't justify spending the money,
AND, most of us didn't realize it was even an option that first year.
We did have a muzzleloader quota hunt at LBL prior to TWRA doing it on a statewide basis.
Most of the participants at that time were more about the nostalgia, including hunting in buckskin clothing,
than they were interested in the actual deer hunting. It was akin to Civil War re-enactments.
Early in the statewide season, I remember for a few years the season always ended on a Friday, and I believe it opened on a Monday, meaning a 5-day season without a weekend. Also, at about that time, deer season was completely closed statewide between Oct 31 and this "new" muzzleloader segment. Used to be, archery season ended October 31st, then there was no deer hunting period until a few days before Thanksgiving. Even the November "deer" season used to open the Monday before Thanksgiving.