First time Mule Deer Hunter, Muzzleloader or Rifle?

[Wertherman]

Hi all,

Just moved to Colorado and I'm looking to get into mule deer hunting for the first time I have one point. I don't have a ton of experience mostly just some whitetail back east.

Would you recommend starting with rifle or muzzleloader? I've heard muzzleloader tags can be easier to draw in some units, but I also don't want to handicap myself on my first hunt. Happy to hear any reasoning either way.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[atmat]

Modern in-line muzzleloaders are essentially single fire rifles. You won’t be “handicapped” from a weapons standpoint.

Choose the location you want to hunt, and look into how many points it takes to draw there for muzzie vs rifle.

 

[Wertherman]

Modern in-line muzzleloaders are essentially single fire rifles. You won’t be “handicapped” from a weapons standpoint.

Choose the location you want to hunt, and look into how many points it takes to draw there for muzzie vs rifle.

I guess open the sights are more my concern there. But sounds like either is a good option in your eyes.

 

[atmat]

I guess open the sights are more my concern there. But sounds like either is a good option in your eyes.

Peep sites with globes make it very easy within reasonable distances.

Either are fun!

 

[CodeMonkey]

Muzzleloader season tends to fall in line with the early elk rut and a weird transitional period for muleys. They may be high or may start moving into timber.

You're also sharing the mountains with archers (please don't shoot one like that nonresident did a few years back) and hikers.

Rifle tags tend to take much more points though.

 

[PathFinder]

In terms of points, it's often more dependent on the unit than the season.
The most effective season is the one where the hunter can locate the deer. Figure out a unit, and pick based on that.