Get out the smoke pole and get ready for the upcoming deer hunting muzzleloader statewide season Oct. 18-19 and Dec. 13-19.The growing use of muzzleloading firearms is at an all-time high. One of the chief motivations for the increased popularity deals with deer hunting. Though the modern muzzleloading hunter is a significant distance from the primitive weapons enthusiast, the fact remains that black powder shooting is a big part of our hunting heritage. Like many states, Kentucky has special primitive seasons for deer hunting. For many, these seasons, coupled with more reliable and user-friendly black powder rifles, offer an extension for their time in the woods and increases their chances of having a successful harvest. Though pistols, shotguns, muskets and revolvers are part of the black powder picture, it is the muzzleloaded hunting rifle that has undergone the most dramatic changes. Both in terms of meeting the needs and the means of new and veteran black powder hunters, designers and manufacturers have risen to the challenge of providing a safe, reliable and effective weapon. Reproductions of the traditional guns are still available. Many have a touch of the craftsmanship characteristic of their era and may range from moderate to expensive in price. More modern primitive muzzleloading rifles look like any large bore rifle, except they are loaded down the barrel and are fired by a separate charge from outside the chamber. Yet the advent of in-line firing systems has changed the muzzle loader. Instead the traditional side-mounted hammer that struck a flint or cap and turned a spark of fire 90 degrees into the waiting powder charge, the modern system fires the cap often a considerably larger cap directly through the breech plug into the firing chamber behind the charge. This accomplishes two things. First, it increases the reliability of the firing system, decreasing misfires and hang-fires. Second, coming from behind the charge, the powder burn is smoother and increases effectiveness and velocity. Here are some things that havent changed. To successfully fire a muzzleloading rifle or pistol, the necessity for the barrel or bore to be clean and dry is undeniable. Also, with a percussion lock system, the nipple and flash channel must be clear. Swabbing out the barrel to ensure its dryness and firing a cap through an unloaded rifle can achieve the first step in loading and firing a muzzleloader. As with any gun, bore rifling should be clean and free of corrosion. A good brushing and a touch of patch lube takes care of this need. To load, measure the powder charge recommended for your type of gun and shooting situation, then pour it down the bore. With precise measures, you can get a uniform charge every time and consistent performance. Next, place a lubricated cloth patch over the muzzle and seat the ball flush on top of it. You can purchase patches that are pre-cut to the proper diameter for almost all popular calibers in several different thicknesses; some are even pre-lubricated. If you prefer sabots or bullets, the same steps are taken. The snuggle of the patch and ball or sabot/bullet in the bore, of course, greatly affects accuracy and ease of loading, so keep in mind one general overriding principle: A very tight combination is usually more accurate, but harder to load, whereas a loose fit tends to go in easily without a bullet starter, but can only perform well enough for some hunting situations. Once the projectile has been seated or started down the barrel, use the ramrod to push it the rest of the way down to the top of the powder charge. It is a good idea to mark your ramrod and check it outside the barrel to make sure the ball or bullet has seated directly on the powder. The ramrod will be about an inch or so longer than the barrel, so your safe mark will be where the length of the rod normally comes on an empty barrel, plus the length of the charge. Improperly seated, with a space between the ball and charge, firing can result in rupturing the barrel. Ramrods are made of wood, brass aluminum and nylon, and all work well if handled properly. Gripping the rod just above the barrel and working the ball down in stages keeps from breaking the rod. Never try to grab the rod on the end and thrust the ball down in one large motion. It can snap the rod and possibly cause injury. The last step to proper loading is priming. With a percussion system this entails simply placing a cap on the nipple if using a side ignition system such as a cap lock gun or placing the cap or primer in the firing position on an in-line ignition system. With the growing number of black powder rifles to choose from, picking the right one for you is important There are many factors to consider, the first of which is caliber. If you are going to use the rifle for hunting, check your state laws to assure that you have at least the minimum caliber for hunting. Fifty (.50) caliber is the most popular nation wide, and meets any state minimum we are aware of. Forty-five (.45) is the smallest caliber to be considered for most hunting situations, and will meet most state requirements. Fifty-four (.54) and fifty-eight (.58) caliber rifles are also available and are used to some extent. Another consideration might be rifling or rate of twist in the barrel that makes the projectile spin giving it more speed and accuracy. The rate of twist relates to the length of barrel needed for the rifling to make one complete turn. A ball fired from a muzzleloader flattens slightly and the groves cause the ball to spin as it is cushioned going out of the barrel. A bullet catches more of the grooving and spins slightly more. Generally, as the bullet gets longer, the rate of twist needs to be faster to stabilize the bullet in flight. So if you are going to definitely use bullets instead of balls, you may want a higher twist ratio. Next you will want to select the ignition system. The basic decision for hunting is probably going to be an in-line or a percussion lock. The percussion lock has a small metal cap with an explosive charge set on a hollow tube, or nipple, and is fired with a side-mounted hammer. The in-line system fires when a spring-driven plunger traveling in line with the barrel hits the percussion cap. The in-line allows a rifle to be safely mounted with a telescopic scope since the likelihood of powder splatter form the cap ignition is less. In addition, the hammer mechanism on the percussion lock often blocks effective use of a scope. The in-line usually have faster ignition time, which makes them less likely to misfire in bad weather. Traditional side lock rifles may offer more historic or romantic appeal and they are just a lot of fun. Whichever you choose it should please you to own it and fire it and have another tool to assist you and draw you into the great outdoors. Here is this weeks fishing report. Barren River Lake is clear falling slightly and in the low 70s. Hybrids from keeper to eight pounds have been hitting during the day in 20 to 25 feet of water. Pearl and white grubs and plastic jerk baits are working best. Black bass are fair to good on main lake points and secondary points as they are starting to move into the creeks. Shad-type lures are producing cast or trolled along structure and top water hits have been reported early and late on deep points. Kentucky and Barkley Lakes: Water temperature are 64 to 66 and levels are around 354 with a slightly dingy cast. According to Steve McAdams of Paris Landing, fall fishing patterns are holding up well for bass and crappie. Crappie have been hitting good this week on minnows at 8 to 12 feet over stakebeds, brush piles, and shallow stumps with some catches on the main lake ledges in depths of 16 to 20 feet. Bass action is good with some of the larger smallmouth coming from ledge or points at the mouth of large bays along the Tennessee River. Some success has come from anglers working ledges with jig and pig combos, small hair jigs, Carolina rigs and large crankbaits.