Archery smarchery, what we need is a muzzleloader season

[Anduril]

but that ain't going to happen.
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[Double D]

Haven't most of the hearing on having such seasons  broke down to shouting match over primitive versus modern?

[AtlLaw]

Haven't most of the hearing on having such seasons  broke down to shouting match over primitive versus modern?

I never could understand all that sorta stuff...    When the Ga. Dept. ogf NR here were talking about a special BP season they were saying they would have to take the time away from Bow or gun hunters; you can only slice the pie so many ways... 

Now we got 3 openers, a 4 month season, a 12 deer limit and still dem deers bees everywheres!  Day be like cocka-roaches!   

[Cottonwood]

Well, there are areas where you can go that are muzzleloader, shotgun, handgun or bow only.  I know this is not the answer to the demand, but its what you got for now.

[Double D]

Well, there are areas where you can go that are muzzleloader, shotgun, handgun or bow only.  I know this is not the answer to the demand, but its what you got for now.

But I don't think those areas are in  Montana are they Jon?

[Anduril]

Well, there are areas where you can go that are muzzleloader, shotgun, handgun or bow only.  I know this is not the answer to the demand, but its what you got for now.

But I don't think those areas are in  Montana are they Jon?

They are called "Weapons Restriction Areas", the one that comes to mind is in the Gallatin valley near Bozeman/Belgrade.
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[Anduril]

Haven't most of the hearing on having such seasons  broke down to shouting match over primitive versus modern?

And there was some hand wringing when compound bows came out.


There is a lot of politics involved.
If the muzzleloading crowd was smart they we would organize and borrow a few pages (or chapters) from the bowhunters play book.
A unified voice at a Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission meeting or a Legislative session is a good place to start.
I think FWP is willing to listen to new ideas. Not long ago the archery antelope season was moved up from September to August 15. After I don't know how many years of the opening day of the general hunting season being a Sunday it was just changed to Saturday. To encourage youth participation the kids now have 2 days before the general opener when only hunters 11 to 15 years old can hunt (when accompanied by a licensed adult).
Lots of good changes are possible if you work the system.

[Plenty Coups]

NO we don't need a ML season. You can hunt with the smoke pole during the general season anywhere as long as you have a tag. There are plenty of areas to hunt with them during the primative season or restricted areas limited to ML  shotgun and conventional handgun. I enjoy late season whitetail with mine. Plenty of areas to slap a doe. There is less restrictions using them and more opportunity than any other choice of weapon as it is. If you feel handicapped during the general season I suggest you improve your hunting skills.

[HogFan]

When I lived in MT from 2001-2005, I never could understand why they had bullet restrictions for ML such as must only use plain lead projectiles, not sabots or similar projectiles,  but I could use any ammo from my centerfire rifle. That never made any sense to me. I do thing a ML season in MT would not be a bad thing.

[Double D]

When I lived in MT from 2001-2005, I never could understand why they had bullet restrictions for ML such as must only use plain lead projectiles, not sabots or similar projectiles,  but I could use any ammo from my centerfire rifle. That never made any sense to me. I do thing a ML season in MT would not be a bad thing.

Hog fan, you point out exactly what the problem is, politics.  traditional versus  modern.  The two factions argue and  the  FWP Commissioners decided to not get involved. 

I want to sound neutral in this but it's difficult. Looking at modern in line muzzle loading rifles and comparing them to the traditional guns there is a definite difference in performance.  The only commonality between the two is they both load via muzzle.   

I don't know what the answer to the problem is.   

I have seen some folks shot their modern muzzleloaders and they out perform the old 30-30 I use to have.

I don't hunt with either type muzzle loader so I don't have a dog in this fight.  Until those who do use these arms for hunting sort out their differences and go with a unified voice, the FWP Commission is not going to give to give them a hunting season.

[pab1]

When I lived in MT from 2001-2005, I never could understand why they had bullet restrictions for ML such as must only use plain lead projectiles, not sabots or similar projectiles,  but I could use any ammo from my centerfire rifle. That never made any sense to me. I do thing a ML season in MT would not be a bad thing.

IMO the reason for limiting muzzleloader projectiles is to restrict their effective range in the areas designated muzzleloader, handgun and archery only. The same reason there are restrictions on handguns in those areas. Most of the restricted areas I know of are near homes.  Sabots generally travel at higher velocities with a flatter trajectory than connicals which has extended the effective range of muzzleloaders. I don't have the regs in front of me but I believe the restrictions only apply to the designated areas.