Hunters Should Visit for the Best Muzzleloader Hunting Experience

Unlike our ancestors, many Americans no longer need to hunt for food — so why does hunting still remain such a beloved activity across the country? According to a 2022 survey performed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which represents the most recently available data as the survey has since been discontinued, 14.4 million Americans ages sixteen or older hunted that year. A majority of hunters sought out big game, while 5.3 million hunters focused on smaller game. The reasons why people still enjoy hunting is varied. Some individuals, especially in more rural areas of the country, still do hunt for food — and often repurpose other parts of the animal, including the hide. Sport and recreation are another large reason why people hunt. Finally, many people enjoy the social aspects of hunting: spending time with friends and family and, especially for younger hunters, learning the valuable skills that their parents can pass down. (Where do hunters in America live? This state tops the list.)

Having the right firearm is incredibly helpful to hunters, who must choose the right gun and ammunition size for the game being hunted (and yes, for all you non-hunters out there, a wealth of gun and ammunition sizes exist). Muzzleloaders are becoming increasingly popular. While these guns will most likely never overtake more popular options, hunters looking for a thrill or a challenge may find themselves drawn to muzzleloaders. After becoming curious about which states had the most muzzleloader hunters, 24/7 Wall St. pored through the National Deer Association’s Deer Report 2024. This report, published in 2024, comprises data from the 2022 hunting season, which is the most up-to-date at this time. Only 41 states were included in the analysis, which is why we only listed those states below. States are listed in ascending order based on how many deer were harvested using muzzleloaders, with the larger estimated number of deer breaking any ties. While both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey have been updated in recent years, we calculated the total number of paid license holders based on 2022 data for continuity.

What is Muzzleloader Hunting?

Muzzleloader hunting differs from other forms of hunting because, with a muzzleloader, you only have one shot. As Barry’s Bullets explains, “you have to load each round manually through the barrel. There are no rounds or casings, but you do use primers, powder, a slug, and wadding.” This means muzzleloaders present a unique challenge for hunters. You need to be accurate, stealthy, and fairly close (typically within 100 yards) of the animal you’re hunting.

If you’re a hunter looking to expand your skills — and nab a pretty impressive buck — then muzzleloader hunting might be your next step. But there are some things you need to know before you go hunting.

Types of Muzzleloaders

There are three main types of muzzleloader guns:

• Modern inline: hammer hits a cap or primer to ignite the powder
• Flintlock: flint strikes the frissen, sparks, and ignites the powder
• Percussion: hammer hits a cap, causing the powder to ignite

Excellent for Hunting…

If you’re interested in big game hunting, then muzzleloader hunting might be a great fit. A muzzleloader is best for hunting:

• White-tailed deer
• Mule deer
• Moose
• Wild boar
• Elk

Hunting Season

One thing to know when buying a muzzleloader is that there are some regulations about when you’re allowed to hunt. Muzzleloader season differs in each state. For example, in 2024, Kentucky’s muzzleloader seasons were for October 19-20, as well as December 14-22; in North Dakota, the season ran from November 29-December 15. Always check your local regulations and seasons before hunting.

Why We’re Covering Muzzleloader Hunting

Hunting is a popular pastime in the United States — and it’s also a big business. While Americans spent a combined $971 million on hunting licenses, stamps, tags, and permits in 2022 (and another $32.9 billion on hunting equipment and trip-related expenses), the number has continued to rise — in 2024, the hunting licenses, stamps, tags, and permits totaled $1.1. billion. Deer are by far the most commonly hunted game in the U.S. According to the National Deer Association, 66% of deer are harvested with firearms (rifles, shotguns) and 25% with a bow and crossbow in 2022, the last year of available data. But muzzleloaders are becoming increasingly popular, and 9% of deer were harvested with a muzzleloader that same year.

Muzzleloader hunting is most commonly seen in these states: 

41. Montana

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 1% (approx. 454 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 45,369 (58.8% antlered buck, 41.2% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 211.3 per 1,000 people (237,312 total)

40. Texas

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 1% (approx. 6,807 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 680,671 (55.4% antlered buck, 44.6% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 37.7 per 1,000 people (1,132,186 total)

39. Nevada

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 2% (approx. 110 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 5,500 (87.0% antlered buck, 13.0% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 34.0 per 1,000 people (107,978 total)

38. Arizona

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 2% (approx. 137 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 6,856 (99.3% antlered buck, 0.7% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 39.0 per 1,000 people (287,033 total)

37. North Dakota

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 2% (approx. 601 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 30,031 (58.3% antlered buck, 41.7% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 190.1 per 1,000 people (148,101 total)

36. Idaho

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 2% (approx. 855 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 42,770 (76.0% antlered buck, 24.0% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 150.0 per 1,000 people (290,834 total)

35. South Dakota

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 2% (approx. 1,108 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 55,380 (61.5% antlered buck, 38.5% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 249.8 per 1,000 people (227,312 total)

34. Illinois

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 2% (approx. 3,157 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 157,854 (46.4% antlered buck, 53.6% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 22.8 per 1,000 people (287,438 total)

33. South Carolina

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 2% (approx. 3,588 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 179,414 (50.2% antlered buck, 49.8% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 40.8 per 1,000 people (215,340 total)

32. Wisconsin

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 2% (approx. 6,806 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 340,282 (48.1% antlered buck, 51.9% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 112.8 per 1,000 people (664,738 total)

31. Georgia

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 3% (approx. 8,136 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 271,211 (35.5% antlered buck, 64.5% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 75.1 per 1,000 people (819,893 total)

30. Missouri

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 3% (approx. 8,992 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 299,719 (47.0% antlered buck, 53.0% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 82.5 per 1,000 people (509,942 total)

29. Alabama

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 3% (approx. 9,262 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 308,729 (44.6% antlered buck, 55.4% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 95.9 per 1,000 people (486,674 total)

28. Maine

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 4% (approx. 1,751 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 43,787 (54.4% antlered buck, 45.6% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 154.2 per 1,000 people (213,686 total)

27. Kansas

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 4% (approx. 3,233 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 80,815 (51.9% antlered buck, 48.1% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 94.3 per 1,000 people (277,050 total)

26. West Virginia

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 5% (approx. 5,925 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 118,499 (60.4% antlered buck, 39.6% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 149.3 per 1,000 people (265,103 total)

25. Michigan

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 5% (approx. 16,959 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 339,189 (60.1% antlered buck, 39.9% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 63.2 per 1,000 people (634,627 total)

24. Nebraska

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 6% (approx. 2,417 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 40,289 (58.1% antlered buck, 41.9% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 122.6 per 1,000 people (241,271 total)

23. Minnesota

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 6% (approx. 10,336 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 172,265 (51.2% antlered buck, 48.8% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 94.8 per 1,000 people (542,085 total)

22. Ohio

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 6% (approx. 12,658 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 210,973 (42.7% antlered buck, 57.3% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 30.2 per 1,000 people (354,606 total)

21. Pennsylvania

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 6% (approx. 25,378 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 422,960 (38.8% antlered buck, 61.2% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 75.6 per 1,000 people (981,320 total)

20. Connecticut

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 7% (approx. 731 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 10,445 (53.6% antlered buck, 46.4% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 7.9 per 1,000 people (28,670 total)

19. Kentucky

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 7% (approx. 10,115 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 144,493 (49.2% antlered buck, 50.8% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 70.7 per 1,000 people (318,869 total)

18. North Carolina

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 8% (approx. 13,106 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 163,831 (52.6% antlered buck, 47.4% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 60.8 per 1,000 people (650,361 total)

17. Florida

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 9% (approx. 8,414 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 93,484 (69.5% antlered buck, 30.5% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 9.8 per 1,000 people (219,074 total)

16. Oklahoma

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 9% (approx. 12,074 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 134,158 (54.5% antlered buck, 45.5% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 92.7 per 1,000 people (372,663 total)

15. Arkansas

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 9% (approx. 16,702 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 185,579 (48.4% antlered buck, 51.6% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 114.1 per 1,000 people (347,418 total)

14. New Jersey

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 10% (approx. 3,832 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 38,324 (42.0% antlered buck, 58.0% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 7.7 per 1,000 people (70,907 total)

13. Indiana

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 10% (approx. 12,185 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 121,854 (56.6% antlered buck, 43.4% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 39.3 per 1,000 people (268,630 total)

12. Delaware

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 11% (approx. 1,853 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 16,848 (25.9% antlered buck, 74.1% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 15.7 per 1,000 people (16,034 total)

11. New York

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 11% (approx. 25,516 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 231,961 (50.2% antlered buck, 49.8% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 28.1 per 1,000 people (553,475 total)

10. Iowa

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 12% (approx. 13,152 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 109,600 (42.4% antlered buck, 57.6% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 68.6 per 1,000 people (219,432 total)

9. Louisiana

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 12% (approx. 26,124 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 217,700 (55.5% antlered buck, 44.5% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 94.4 per 1,000 people (433,219 total)

8. New Mexico

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 13% (approx. 1,205 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 9,266 (98.1% antlered buck, 1.9% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 75.9 per 1,000 people (160,322 total)

7. Utah

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 15% (approx. 4,130 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 27,536 (92.9% antlered buck, 7.1% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 79.0 per 1,000 people (267,238 total)

6. Tennessee

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 15% (approx. 24,487 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 163,244 (52.9% antlered buck, 47.1% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 119.7 per 1,000 people (844,172 total)

5. New Hampshire

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 18% (approx. 2,535 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 14,082 (59.2% antlered buck, 40.8% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 43.2 per 1,000 people (60,323 total)

4. Vermont

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 18% (approx. 3,143 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 17,461 (55.1% antlered buck, 44.9% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 93.8 per 1,000 people (60,719 total)

3. Massachusetts

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 23% (approx. 3,646 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 15,853 (57.3% antlered buck, 42.7% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 8.9 per 1,000 people (61,865 total)

2. Virginia

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 24% (approx. 44,829 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 186,788 (49.0% antlered buck, 51.0% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 28.7 per 1,000 people (248,951 total)

1. Rhode Island

• Share of deer harvested with a muzzleloader in 2022: 42% (approx. 1,136 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 2,705 (48.1% antlered buck, 51.9% antlerless deer)
• Paid hunting license holders in 2022: 7.4 per 1,000 people (8,099 total)

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