Equipment for Muzzleloader-ONLY Hunts
Muzzleloader rules in Muzzleloader Only Seasons
You must use:
A rifle or musket that is capable of being loaded only from the muzzle and is at least forty-five (.45) caliber for deer, antelope, or mountain lion, or at least fifty (.50) caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or black bear.
NO electronic devices may be attached to, or incorporated in, the muzzleloader
Muzzleloader Only Season
Any firearm used in a Muzzleloader Only Season must satisfy these requirements:
Must be a rifle or musket that is single or double- barrel and can only be loaded from the muzzle
Muzzleloading handguns are prohibited
Minimum Caliber
45 - Deer, Pronghorn, Mountain Lion, Wolf
50 - Elk, Moose, Bear, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat
Powder
Must use loose powder. Includes black powder, Pyrodex, or other synthetic black powder
Pelletized powders, including pellets, firesticks are prohibited.
Projectile
Must use a patched round ball or conical metal or metal alloy.
Must be within .010 inch of the bore diameter
Sabots are prohibited
All Power Belt brand and similar bullets are allowed.
Accuracy tips and pressure bases are allowed.
Ignition System
Must be exposed. This is defined as an ignition system in which any portion of the cap is exposed when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire. Northwest inline models are allowed.
Igniters
Must use flint, percussion caps, or musket caps.
209 primers are prohibited.
Optics
May only use open or peep sights.
Any scopes are prohibited. Any electronics are prohibited.
NO electronic devices may be attached to, or incorporated in, the muzzleloader.
Muzzleloader rules in Short Range Weapon Seasons
You must use:
A rifle or musket that is capable of being loaded only from the muzzle and is at least forty-five (.45) caliber for deer, antelope, or mountain lion, or at least fifty (.50) caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or black bear.
NO electronic devices may be attached to, or incorporated in, the muzzleloader
Short Range Weapons Seasons (Muzzleloader, Shotgun with slugs, Archery equipment, or Handguns firing straight walled pistol cartridges)
You may use:
Scopes - with, or without, lighted reticles
Any type of ignition system, including closed breech systems using 209 primers
Any type of muzzle loading powder, including loose, pellets, and powder sticks
Any type of hammer, including plunger or bolt style in-lines
Any type of bullet, including sabots
From The Regulations:
MUZZLELOADER CALIBER REQUIREMENTS
In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and shortrange hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals with any muzzleloading rifle or musket that is less than .45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, mountain lion or gray wolf; or is less than .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or black bear.
LEGAL IN MUZZLELOADER-ONLY SEASONS
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 Reasonable Modification Permit to use non - magnifying or up to 4x power scopes. Application available at Fish and Game regional offices, see page 4.
• 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 metal or metal alloy projectile with the exception of allowance of accuracy tips and pressure bases.
• 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 when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire.