Idaho Commissioners Reconsider Muzzleloader Rules

[sabotloader]

from the IF&G site:

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=3945

IDAHO FISH AND GAME
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
Boise, ID

Date: July 24, 2007
Contact: Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700



commissioners reconsider muzzleloader rules


The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, in response to complaints from some hunters, discussed the definition of muzzleloader loader weapons, but commissioners took no action on the rules during their July 19 meeting in Salmon.

The existing muzzleloader restrictions will remain in place during the upcoming hunting seasons this year.

Brad Compton, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's big game manager, analyzed the options for the commissioners.

In response to critics of changes to muzzleloader rules adopted in January, the commission could consider several options, Compton said. One is to leave the rules as they are. Another option would be to go back to last year's rules. A third option is to simply allow the in-line bolt hammer weapons while keeping all the other current restrictions. And a fourth option would be to eliminate all restrictions - for ease of enforcement.

The muzzleloader rule changes adopted in January are generally well accepted, Commissioner Gary Power said. But with the same powder, "the kind of hammer makes little difference in performance," he said. "That just makes it look old."

Commissioners took no action but generally favored option three as the simplest way to silence the most complaints, especially from muzzleloader hunters in the Panhandle Region.

Most muzzleloader hunters, hunt with stock weapons, Commissioner Tony McDermott said.

"They're just working guys that want to take advantage of the opportunity to go hunting in the late season," he said.

The department will gather public comments on the options and submit them to the Commission in January.

Current Fish and Game rules require that muzzleloaders must:
- Use all-lead bullets within 10/1,000 (.010) inch of the bore diameter. Sabots are not allowed.
- Have open sights.
- Use only loose black or synthetic powder.
- Have an exposed, pivoting hammer.
- Have an exposed ignition using only flint or percussion caps - 209 primers are not allowed.

[NONYA]

For the sake of those hunters who have been routed out by the "traditional" groups i hope they realize how wrong it is to exclude so many and change the rules.

[Graybeard]

While it's nuttin to me here in Bama I could live within those rules. I really take no side on the modern vs. traditional battle but my only muzzleloader is a TC Renegade .50 that I use only pure lead conicals in from either Buffalo Bullets or Hornady Great Plains bullets over Pyrodex. That's all I've ever used really even when I at one time had an inline.