You don’t know what your talking about

I knew I would catch flak. The are seasoned shooters that do incredible things with flintlock. In my experience, most people that don’t shoot more than a couple pounds of black should not be using a flintlock. I have been around guys who that is all they shoot and can perform at extended ranges, just not the average person.

Sorry, but I do know what I’m talking about.

Who said extended ranges?

Plenty of people can't shoot modern rifles good enough to hunt in my opinion, yet they do.

Ill meet you in the middle. Im sure you do know what your talking about. It does take some practice, but its not hard to get reliable ignition and fair accuracy for ones shooting ability.

One other note. I think a lot of the poor shooting is related to poor make flintlocks.

Hope you find your deer smasho, but keep the chin up and make it right

I don’t think flintlocks should be made illegal to hunt with. But I do agree that they are a more difficult weapon to master than any modern centerfire rifle. They require practice and lots of it to become proficient and maintain that proficiency.

That being said, I still suspect there is a dead deer out there, waiting to be found.

If the delay was enough to notice, most likely the shot went low. That's where all my hangfires end up.

Smash, all of the suggested tips aside, learn from your experience and keep at it. Did you pick your head up before the shot? Was it the best angle? Would another day or 3 at the range have made a difference?

Unfortunately, times like today are part of the journey. Absorb any info you gained and stay passionate for the next one. If you didn’t feel bad about it, than you shouldn’t be doing it. Wishing you the best on your next outing.

I truly wish I could say I was proficient with a flint, but I’m not. I burn a significant amount of black or equivalent every year. I applaud the gentleman and ladies that have the talent.

I was successful two seasons ago with the gun. It is a Lyman deerstalker. We do practice. I have had primer powder not ignite due to dampness. Flint not make sparks etc. we have made adjustments. I do not find fault in the firearm. It was my personal fault.
Cannot find the deer Nor any more blood.
I am very upset but I also try to be really responsible and humane in my methods and I don’t want to say “that’s it I’m done hunting”.
I feel like more people wantonly shoot at deer during regular rifle season and some of these guys aren’t really “hunters” at all. They just buy a license and go blasting at these animals.
I don’t have such intentions.
So I’m really disappointed this evening

I know you are a very ethical hunter. We all have had things happen, don’t let this get you down.

Its just a deer smasho-hundreds get hit by cars and die in the woods,go shoot another one if you cant find that one for whatever reason,and dont worry about it.
Like I said either other critters will get a full belly or the deer lived.

Think you made his point despite getting upset about it. You shoot them “all the time”, lol. The delay is what he’s referring too and if you do in fact shoot them “all the time” then you’re aware of it. Most are not. Same with a flinch on an empty chamber.

Pa has restrictions on muzzle loading guns being primitive muzzleloading guns un like most other states if I'm remembering correctly. As fare as your facts I would prefer a large rifle primer and my daughter's 7mm08 but it would not be legal either..

And not a single thing wrong with deer hunting with a flint lock.

K Snow. I know your passionate about flintlocks. They can and have taken game for many years.
Same argument that can be made for archery.

Bottom line is..., you put a projectile through the lungs/ heart, it's gonna die.

We as hunters have basically lost the art of tracking game unless there is a bloodtrail to follow.

I've seen deer shot with a 7mag


run for 100 yards in fresh snow shot straight through the heart with little blood and deer shot with a .223 (same scenario) ) that Ray Charles could track.

The loss of an animal sucks but it happens.
Have trailed 100s and 100s of animals that were shot. Seen many wow, ' that sure died fast" to " wow, I can't believe it went that far".

I’d feel better about myself taking a closer range shot with a more primitive weapon than an ill advised long shot with a more powerful and accurate weapon. That’s just how I like to hunt I think.
But here I am, still sucking regardless.

It has made me sick the 5 times I have lost deer. All of mine were hit high but below the spine. Faire blood trail but watery and ran out quickly. always knew they had died until a friend at work lost a nice buck described his hit and blood trail and was identical to my lost deer. he never found it and 2 Weeks later it was back on his trail cam complete with huge hole healing up in its back from the expanding heads he was shooting.

So it very well could be alive and well.

In my early 20’s I just had to have a flintlock. Shot a dandy 8 pt and new it was a good hit Deer mule kicked and ran off some blood. BUT back then muzzle loader was end of December and we had 2 in of snow. I track him and found him about 200 yards ball hit opposite shoulder and didn’t exit. My last hunt with round ball or that gun. Bought my first inline the next summer. Knight Wolverine.
Loved it Shot 44 mag hollow point and sabots.
Ask yourself this. Would you hunt with round ball ammunition out of a modern firearm? FMJ ammo? No !! Like stated way too many options that kill or deliver a more lethal kill shot

I’m gonna get beat up more for responding.

The animal doesn’t care what kind of weapon you used. Make it quick and efficient. If you are not proficient then don’t shoot.

I asked myself this and I would rather shoot a roundball out of my flints. In fact, Id rather shoot my flint with roundball more than the newest coolest cartridge.