I've watched this thread kicked around again and given this some thought. I like J's idea because it would extend my opportunities to hunt with my muzzy(s), but I think I would switch them around because of Jim's good argument below:
I don't know when muzzy season was instituted, or why - I assumed it was originally started BEFORE the advent of the modern inline and was meant to provide homage and opportunity to traditionalists using sidelock/primitive weapons. Now that I run one, I can definitely understand John's sentiment below:
But the truth is, I'm a whore, I'll do anything to extend my hunting opportunities. I got hooked in 2008 during gun week; went out and bought a crossbow just to extend my season (took my first deer 6 weeks later in late January). Love hunting with guns, so I went out and bought a Knight Wolverine (same inline rig as @J runs) just so I could gun hunt another 4 days. Years later, bought a sidelock/percussion just so I could shoot the lead balls I was casting and giving away. Now that I'm doing the "trad" muzzy thing, I'm hooked. And I'm not knocking inlines - that Knight is arguably my favorite gun - I absolutely love the thing - but basically it's a single shot modern rifle. And if my assumption about the reason for a muzzy season to honor the traditionalists is correct, then I'd say that @JOHNROHIO is right - "Run those inline modern guns in modern gun season." But the truth is, I'm a whore, and if I didn't have the sidelock rig I'd want to be hunting with my Knight during muzzy season (using the letter of the law as opposed to the spirit of the law)
As to how long to make that muzzy season and when? I'll take as many days as I can get, but I think @jagermeister makes a pretty good point about late season cornpile vulnerability. Maybe 4 weeks starting mid-November for sidelocks?
(I tell you what - if they did the 4 week think starting mid Nov, sidelock sales would skyrocket)
