Ask Fish and Game: Muzzleloader Rules

Q. I heard the Fish and Game Commission was considering changing the muzzleloader rules again. What are the rules for this fall? A. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission plans to review the rules for muzzleloader-only hunts at its meeting in January. Until then, the rules 1 in the 2007 big game brochure are still valid. During a muzzleloader-only season, the only legal weapon is a muzzleloading rifle or musket that must be:

• Capable of being loaded only from the muzzle.
• Equipped with only open or peep sights.
• Loaded only with loose black powder or loose synthetic black powder. Pelletized powders are prohibited.
• Loaded with a lead or lead alloy non-jacketed projectile that is within .010 inch of the bore diameter. Sabots are prohibited.
• Equipped only with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap. 209 primers are prohibited.
• Equipped with an exposed pivoting hammer and an exposed ignition system.