Future of Muzzleloader hunting

[OKHunter84]

I'm kinda wondering how everyone feels about the future of Muzzleloader hunting. I personally feel like they're getting too advanced to be considered "primitive". I think more states joining in on open sights only and things like that are inevitable.

 

[WBrim]

There was a good hard look at limiting scopes to maybe 1x here in Utah. For now they seem to have tabled that conversation. It was a very hotly debated issue tho.

 

[String&stick]

Friend of mine has one with no scope but a "globe" sight. He's still good to 400 or so with just that. It's pretty amazing what some of these guns can do! I think more and more limitations will be coming down the pipe as well

 

[OKHunter84]

With some that are accurate several hundred yards, I feel like they'll have no choice. They'll either drop the tag numbers or have to regulate.

 

[InkedElkSlayer]

Personally, I wish they would do away with muzzleloader-specific seasons. Our MT politicians passed a bill 2 years ago and made a muzzleloader season that starts about 2 weeks after our 5 week general season… after our 6 week archery season… before and after our shoulder seasons.

I get it, provide opportunities for different user groups. What’s next? A spear season? A Chinese throwing star season? Nunchucks? How about a left handed 6.5 Creedmoor only season?

 

[OKHunter84]

Personally, I wish they would do away with muzzleloader-specific seasons. Our MT politicians passed a bill 2 years ago and made a muzzleloader season that starts about 2 weeks after our 5 week general season… after our 6 week archery season… before and after our shoulder seasons.

I get it, provide opportunities for different user groups. What’s next? A spear season? A Chinese throwing star season? Nunchucks? How about a left handed 6.5 Creedmoor only season?

The left handed creedmoor season would definitely be over crowded

 

[Pickettpuncher]

You talking primitive hunting or muzzleloader hunting. If it loads from the muzzle it should be legal. Primitive could include cartridges from 150 years ago which may be an advantage over some muzzeloaders. I don’t think there’s a one size fits all here, but it’s mostly just revenue to a lot of states.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I'm cool with PRIMITIVE MUZZLELOADER seasons.
As was the original intent.

 

[OKHunter84]

I'd personally like to see seasons that mimick the restricted muzzleloader in New Mexico. Has to be loaded from the muzzle, no sabots, open sights and only caplock or flintlock.

 

[Rich M]

I gotta say, that if you want your ML laws to read x,y,z. Then just do it.

Put on your buckskins and prime your flintlock. Go have fun. Stop worrying about other folks. That’s where you are going wrong, it robs yer joy for no reason. Do it the way you want within the law and have fun.

 

[OKHunter84]

I gotta say, that if you want your ML laws to read x,y,z. Then just do it.

Put on your buckskins and prime your flintlock. Go have fun. Stop worrying about other folks. That’s where you are going wrong, it robs yer joy for no reason. Do it the way you want within the law and have fun.

I agree. I do hunt with about every weapon choice I can and enjoy all of them. I've done quite a bit of traditional muzzleloader hunting as well. The problem is that they base tag allocations on harvest rates. If most guys have 500 yard "muzzleloaders" then the harvest rates will go up and tags will go down.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Personally, I wish they would do away with muzzleloader-specific seasons. Our MT politicians passed a bill 2 years ago and made a muzzleloader season that starts about 2 weeks after our 5 week general season… after our 6 week archery season… before and after our shoulder seasons.

I get it, provide opportunities for different user groups. What’s next? A spear season? A Chinese throwing star season? Nunchucks? How about a left handed 6.5 Creedmoor only season?

What is the success rate though? Does it really matter in a measurable way that they added it?

 

[Rich M]

I agree. I do hunt with about every weapon choice I can and enjoy all of them. I've done quite a bit of traditional muzzleloader hunting as well. The problem is that they base tag allocations on harvest rates. If most guys have 500 yard "muzzleloaders" then the harvest rates will go up and tags will go down.

Until that happens it is just speculation. Weve had the technology for a few years anyways.

I shoot an Optima and like it. Used to shoot percussion caps a time back and have loved 209 primers for knowing the gun is gonna go off.

 

[Fordguy]

I'm kinda wondering how everyone feels about the future of Muzzleloader hunting. I personally feel like they're getting too advanced to be considered "primitive". I think more states joining in on open sights only and things like that are inevitable.

Personally, I'd be thrilled if states just started requiring the use of patch and round ball for muzzleloading. Use a sidelock, flintlock, or inline (209), but patch and ball only. Even with a scope I haven't found patch and ball accuracy to be comparable to saboted projectiles. Just my preference. Patch and ball muzzleloading was some of the most fun and exciting (and occasionally frustrating) hunting I've ever done.

 

[InkedElkSlayer]

What is the success rate though? Does it really matter in a measurable way that they added it?

I hear you. But the real answer is… nobody knows. Especially MTFWP. There is no reporting criteria in MT.

I do know that there is an unnamed unit that requires a permit for archery and for rifle. But it’s open for muzzleloader. After the muzzleloader season started, several of the local boys have been heading there in December and whacking some mature bulls that thought the season was over. Sure, this could be a few dozen guys in a random unit, but again, MTFWP doesn’t have a clue about hunter numbers, harvest stats, hunter days, etc.

Also, almost every road closure for “big game security “ in W MT is closed during what used to be hunting season. They are open to snowmobiling 12/1.

 

[Felix40]

I’m really happy NM got rid of scopes in ML season. I see no point in having a special season for them if guys are shooting 300+ yards with them.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

Personally, I wish they would do away with muzzleloader-specific seasons. Our MT politicians passed a bill 2 years ago and made a muzzleloader season that starts about 2 weeks after our 5 week general season… after our 6 week archery season… before and after our shoulder seasons.

I get it, provide opportunities for different user groups. What’s next? A spear season? A Chinese throwing star season? Nunchucks? How about a left handed 6.5 Creedmoor only season?

Ok that’s fine for Montana, but most states make you pick a specific season or weapon to hunt, as a matter of fact most make you draw. I can understand your argument but to blanket statement that all muzzleloader seasons should go away is a little shortsighted.


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[InkedElkSlayer]

Ok that’s fine for Montana, but most states make you pick a specific season or weapon to hunt, as a matter of fact most make you draw. I can understand your argument but to blanket statement that all muzzleloader seasons should go away is a little shortsighted.


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I agree. How some states implement it makes sense. MT was an afterthought that was randomly passed.

 

[jayhawk]

Technology is out-pacing the regulations.
I'm going to get punched for saying this, but I think there are also parallels with archery technology out there.

 

[Customweld]

Technology is out-pacing the regulations.
I'm going to get punched for saying this, but I think there are also parallels with archery technology out there.

Most definitely. Folks talking about ML's being too advanced, maybe it's time to go back to trad archery as well.