Opportunities Still Exist for In-line Muzzleloaders

Since the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted a new definition of muzzleloader hunts, the Department of Fish and Game has received an unusual number of complaints. The Fish and Game commissioners recognized the effect of their decision to adopt restrictions on muzzleloader technology and their decision was not taken lightly. Commissioners have been considering the changes for more than a year. Weapons technology was the subject of meetings in all seven Idaho regions and of a hunter survey. The decision does not outlaw current muzzleloader technology per se, and some in-line models may still fit the new restrictions. But many models featuring recent advances in muzzle-loading weapons technology are no longer allowed in muzzleloader-only hunts. The modern muzzleloaders legal under Idaho rules up to now could still be used in special short-range weapons hunts and in any-weapon hunts. Muzzleloader hunting offers a unique and traditionally important activity for many Idaho hunters. The commissioners felt they had to draw a well-defined line to restrict rapidly-advancing muzzleloader technology. Otherwise, the opportunity for special muzzleloader hunts would become more restricted. Fish and Game has offered muzzleloader-only hunts since the early 1970s. Special seasons were set aside for hunters who used primitive weapons that had limited range of up to about 100 yards and relied on black powder sensitive to moisture and prone to misfiring. The previous rules were adopted by the commission in 1991. At that time, more than 10,000 hunters participated in big game muzzleloader hunts. Since then, however, technology has changed and hunters have asked the department to review muzzleloader weapon restrictions. In recent years, the number of special muzzleloader hunts and the number of participants have declined. In 2001, Fish and Game began implementing "traditional" muzzleloader big game seasons to offset improved range and effectiveness of modern muzzleloaders and to maintain the number of muzzleloader opportunities. Muzzleloader technology improvements have made the rifles more accurate and more efficient. Some manufacturers tout rifles effective up to 250 yards, approaching modern .30-.30 centerfire rifles, which have an effective range of 250 to 300 yards. The improved weapons mean better hunter success and more game animals killed. To limit the numbers killed, opportunities were reduced. To allow muzzleloader opportunities to continue, commissioners decided to limit special muzzleloader hunts to weapons that meet tighter restrictions. The Commission and the Department of Fish and Game spent more than a year reviewing muzzleloader technology and soliciting comments from Idaho muzzleloader hunters. Comment showed those hunters to be about equally split between maintaining existing equipment restrictions and adding further restrictions. In November the commission conducted a public workshop in Lewiston to learn more about muzzleloader technology. A survey was distributed to hunters at regional open houses and made available on the department website. Of nearly 4,000 comments, slightly more hunters favored tighter restrictions than opposed such restriction. When asked whether Idaho should restrict all special muzzleloader hunting seasons to "traditional" muzzleloaders, 48 percent said yes, 44 percent said no and 8 percent had no opinion. Ultimately, the commissioners' decision was based on a shared concern for declining muzzleloader hunting opportunity over the past decade. The new rules require that muzzleloaders must: - Use all-lead bullets at least within 10/1,000 (.010) of the bore diameter. - Have open sights, and use only loose black powder or synthetic black powder. - Have an exposed, pivoting hammer and an exposed ignition using only flint, musket caps or percussion caps. Muzzle-loading weapons also must be at least .45 caliber for deer, antelope or mountain lion; and at least .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or black bear.