There are some big deer up on the Eastern Shore. I have some friends that hunt up there. Lots of farm land to eat from! I used to hunt public land here in Virginia, but you never know who is out there with you or whether they have any hunter safety training, are drunk or just stupid.
I got tired of people walking up on my position and the other stuff I just mentioned. I have to drive a good hour or more to get out of the city to hunt. It's join a hunt club or have a friend with land. I went a good 10 years without hunting because of that but finally bit the bullet and joined a very nice well organized (and safety conscience) hunt club that hunts over 3,000 acres. It cost a little bit of money, but just like the car hobby, you got to pay to play!
Doug, I hope you can find somewhere to hunt with that muzzleloader, it's a lot of fun!!
Matt B.