muzzleloader season isn't unique to texas and many states have them. Depending on the muzzleloader type itself and the powder, ammo etc effective range can be as low as 50 yards to 200+ yards. So there is a huge variation.

I had a T/C Renegade about 20 years ago and just scored a LH .50 cal Renegade in mint condition last month. I will definitely be heading out this week and plan to get out at least 4 times or how ever many times it takes to fill the 3 tags I have left. In Leon county (Centerville) you can take two doe's during the muzzleloader season just like archery season rules. Doe season is usually only during Thanksgiving weekend during the general season but this year it was from the beginning of the season November 5th till the 20th. I should have tagged out on doe's during that time but I couldn't get out with my back healing up. Thank God for muzzleloader season because I am down to 10 bags left of deer meat in the freezer. We have a big body spike walking around the property that I am hoping to get for the one spike buck that I can take. Here's a pic from the sellers post of the T/C Renegade LH rifle that I scored. Even the old school muzzleloader's are highly accurate.

That's one nice looking muzzleloader good luck on your doe hunt

It's funny that some bow hunters squawk because they don't get a late season bow hunt, but they don't seem to squawk about their month long "early" season hunt, and that is statewide! There is absolutely no reason why a statewide muzzle loader season can't be installed - one early and one late! New Mexico, Kansas, Arkansas all have early muzzle load season that is statewide! Yet Texas groans because they have given a late season muzzle load hunt, but only for east Texas!

I kinda wonder the reasoning behind it also. Maybe extra population control? My friend shot a doe in ML season that had two embryos in it

My question about the muzzleloader season has to do with the fact that today's muzzleloaders are definitely NOT primitive type weapons with limited range. They have progressed to 200+ yard killing weapons that certainly do not "limit" a hunter like a compound bow does with 40 yard capability. And from what I have been reading about muzzleloaders, 300+ yard ranges will be here soon with the constant improvements in these long guns and optics.

Texas already has a two month long rifle season (much longer than alot of states). Yes as a bow hunter I would like to see a longer "bow only" season than four weeks, which is MUCH shorter than many deer hunting states.

I just realized just in the past few years that when someone mentioned "muzzleloader" they were not talking about some sort of "Davey Crocket" type of long gun like I saw on TV. I was shocked when I first started to realize how advanced these things were.

Last year I applied for several draw deer hunts. I was lucky to be selected for one, and did not realize that it was a muzzle loader only hunt. I now have a ML that I was not planning on getting. I am a beginner at this, but can say that it has allowed me to experience something new. I think it is important as outdoors men to support all opportunities that are available.

whats stopping you from using a bow and arrow during general season? I hunt archery, general season, and now muzzleloader season. You have almost 3 months you can use a bow, and a 2 weeks muzzleloader season at the end of the year isn't gonna hurt your hunting. The drawback to muzzleloader a is you only get 1 shot, I personally think that's probably the reasoning behind the "new" season

I DO bow hunt all through the general season. But the 8 weeks of rifle hunters greatly affects the deer movement once they start blasting away. I don't know the harm in letting bow hunters hunt with their bows during muzzleloader season just like we are allowed to do during the general "centerfire" season.

I'm a bowhunter too, but I have no problems with the black powder guys getting their own 2 week season in January, we have 3 months to bowhunter before them, don't be greedy, would you rather them put ML season in October. And don't complain, 7 years ago we almost lost our October archery season in TX to rifles, we did lose it to MLD land. I am very appreciative we have such a long archery season, don't take it for granted

We're seeing alot of ML's and black powder supplies sold this year, 32 additional counties now have a muzzle loader only season. I'm guessing TPW saw the resource could handle the extras hunting days and that there would be a positive economic impact on goods sold and money hunters spend on lodging food etc. on extra days in the field.

Last call for muzzleloader season this weekend! Jan 15th it closes...Good Luck to All!

I think the original idea of the muzzle loader seasons was to give the hunter a chance of having a season similar to the archers where the deer wouldn't be spooked and harder to harvest because of the need for close range shots.
Well that all went out the window when gun manufacturers saw there was a way to make a profit by coming up with high tech muzzleloaders to cash in on the new seasons.
Now with the advancements made there is little difference and the advantage goes to the hunter because of his choice of a modern weapon with the only difference is it loads from the muzzle.
No backing away now, so just extend the season and call it what it is.

that is kind my point - what in the heck is so hard about killing a deer with a muzzleloader anymore? I don't see the point.

Texas already has one of the shortest archery only seasons of any of the Whitetail states - why not give us the last two weeks of the "extended" season to bow hunt without having to compete with high powered rifles?

Actually having a separate muzzleloader season is a little stupid because there is no reason now, as mentioned above with the advancements in technology, and you can use a front loader during the regular season as well. So just extend the season for everyone.
You can say the same for those who choose the bow but that's an entirely new argument.
TPWD doesn't take into account that seasons need adjustment if what they are trying to do is management.

I enjoy all seasons I bow hunt when the season is right.I pick up my scoped 25-06 when I want during gun season also do some bow hunting during gun season and look forward to many seasons of blk powder only. We get bow only season stop sniveling about blk powder not all bows are the same and they added crossbow those things shoot farther than you can see in east Texas .I use hawken sidelock .50 cal 150 year old tec. This as bows go would be akin to Indian short bow. Heck my compound bow cost 10 times what old hawken did you do what you want and let others do what they love. What a GREAT country we live in God Bless America And Donald Trump!!!