Muzzle Loader Restrictions in some States

[MikePal]

Watching a video this morning on the new "NorthWest' CVA muzzle loaders there was mention of the restrictions hunters face to use a ML in some states.

This is an example of what is required in Idaho:

Muzzleloader-Only Season

Any person hunting in a muzzleloader-only season, including controlled hunts, must have in their possession a license with a muzzleloader permit validation. During a muzzleloader only season, it is illegal to pursue or kill a big game animal with any firearm, muzzleloading pistol, or weapon other than a muzzleloading rifle or musket. In addition, the muzzleloading rifle or musket must be:

• Capable of being loaded only from the muzzle.
• Equipped with only open or peep sights. Scopes and any
electronics are prohibited. Except hunters with a visual
disability may apply for a permit to use nonmagnifying
scopes. (Applications are available at Fish and Game
offices).
• Loaded only with loose black powder, loose Pyrodex, or
other loose synthetic black powder. Pelletized powders
are prohibited.
• Equipped with a single or double-barrel.
• Loaded with a projectile that is within .010 inch of the
bore diameter. Sabots are prohibited.
• Loaded with a patched round ball or conical non-jacketed
projectile comprised wholly of lead or lead alloy.
• Equipped only with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap.
209 primers are prohibited.
• Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion
of the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is
cocked and ready to fire.

I guess we're pretty fortunate up here !!!

[boogaloo]

Wow. It sounds like there must be a lot of "button counters" in Idaho. I wonder if their bow season states "no compound or cross bows or mechanical broad heads"???????????.........................Daniel

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

Looks like my savage smokeless with Leupold VXR scope would be illegal there..... LOL

[robster]

The drawbacks of the technology. Someone's thinking of the safety issue? -100yd shots have been pushed to +200yd shots.

[MikePal]

The drawbacks of the technology. Someone's thinking of the safety issue? -100yd shots have been pushed to +200yd shots.

I think it's a two fold attempt to try to keep it to a more traditional ML hunt as well as keep it from becoming a long range hunt (safety) by not to letting them push the boundaries with scopes, saboted bullets and smokeless guns. I see their point.

[delmer]

We are fortunate that the only stipulation we have to abide by is that the firearm is loaded from the muzzle. Idaho is just one of many states that have other restrictions attached as to what is legal for muzzle loading season. I believe some states actually refer to their seasons as "primitive weapon season".

[TPM]

It's been that way in many States for decades. I know at on time Pennsilvania only allowed flintlocks during ML season.