Ask The Biologist

Whitetails don’t always react when fired upon.

QUESTION: During the muzzleloader season, I fired at a deer and missed, but the deer didn’t bolt like they normally do. I’ve heard of other people that had this happen. Can you explain why?

ANSWER:I wish I could. I have also experienced this phenomenon on more than one occasion. Sometimes they react but go back to what they were doing, or they wander off nervously but not particularly alarmed.

Sometimes, I’ve even been able to re-load and get a second shot. The best explanation I can offer is that the combustion of black powder or its substitutes is somehow duller than the report of smokeless powder. I would add all my experiences were with caplock percussion guns and relatively light loads. I have not experienced it with in-lines. Regardless, it’s a good idea to practice quick reloading, just in case.

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