Photo by Billkenney.com

Harvest statistics indicate that good muzzleloader hunting is available across the state, but with a strong emphasis on the western side.

The best wildlife management unit for antlered deer was the Southeast Region's WMU 5-C, with 110 bucks harvested. Because all deer hunters scored well in Unit 5-C, that is certainly an area to consider this season. However, the second and third best antlered areas, as well as the top three antlerless zones, were in the western region, with WMU 1-A, 2-C and 2-D all taking honors.

Here is a look at some public hunting areas that typically attract their share of muzzleloader hunters each fall.

WMU 5-C
In the southeast corner of the state where other special firearm regulations apply, muzzleloading rifles are permitted for deer hunting. Blackpowder enthusiasts take advantage of this rule to hunt where modern rifles are not permitted. Some of the favorites in WMU 5-C are Nockamixon State Park and adjoining State Game Lands 157.

Some 3,000 acres of huntable land are available at the park. Most of the terrain is typically flat shoreline around the lake. However, a few parcels spreading toward SGL 157 are more wooded.

One area that doesn't get much attention is south of the dam off South Park Road. This region is bisected by Tohickon Creek and is even more heavily wooded compared with most areas of the park along Route 563.

SGL 157 contains over 2,000 acres of public land on the northeast border of the park. This game lands is thickly wooded and contains some modest hills. However, it also encompasses Haycock Mountain, the second highest point in Bucks County.

Access to SGL 157 is from Sawmill Road and Top Rock Terrace off Route 563.

Probably the most popular muzzleloader area in Unit 5-C is close to its Route 10 border at French Creek State Park and adjoining SGL 43.

The park offers over 6,000 acres of huntable land, much of it heavily wooded and quite hilly. A good area to get started is along Shed Road between Red Corner and the intersection of Route 345. There is steep, wooded ground along both sides of this road. Parking is available.

Muzzleloader hunters should also do well off Route 345 south of Kulptown.

SGL 43 is connected to parkland south of Harmonyville Road below Hopewell Road. SGL 43 contains an additional 2,300 acres of public land.

WMU 1-A
The second highest muzzleloader harvest for both antlered and antlerless deer occurred in WMU 1-A on the western side of the state. This area produced 100 antlered deer and another 1,860 antlerless deer for muzzleloader hunters.

One of the key hunting spots in WMU 1-A is Moraine State Park, which surrounds Lake Arthur. This Butler County territory offers muzzleloaders a substantial 13,600 acres of huntable land. The state park encompasses all types of terrain from open shorelines to moderately dense woods.

Many firearms hunters avoid hunting in state parks because of multiple-use policies. Moraine State Park is no different in that hunters must contend with hikers, snowmobilers and horseback riders. But this park has some areas that, while not entirely free of non-hunting intrusions, have some less-visited land where ill-timed interruptions are less likely.

One such area is in the northern zone of the state park west of Route 528 between Covert Road and West Liberty Road. There is a substantial parcel of land here with a good feeder stream and ground that rises to 1,300 feet. In addition, on the east side of Route 528, hunters will find the park's North Country Trail. The land farther east of the trail is substantially wooded and less visited.

An area that provides easy access for muzzleloaders is west of Route 8 along Swamp Run Road. The road leads to a parking area and a gate that borders a game propagation area where entry is not permitted. But a trail north of the gate leads to high wooded hunting grounds. Another way into this area is to take Route 8 to Muddy Creek Road and then south to North Country Club Road. There is a gate and parking area at the end of the road with a considerable amount of huntable land surrounding it.