Probably because it is a "high powered rifle" that you can buy at any Wal-mart and I don't think the DNR is wanting that to happen. I use a .358 Hooiser and it is very powerful, but you can't just run out and buy one. I can see merit in not allowing guns like the 30-30, just go to Wal-mart Friday night before opening day and see how many idiots are buying slug guns and slugs, can you imagine if that were the case with high powered rifles? Plus, what caliber do we stop at? If the 30-30 is allowed, why not the .243 or .308, I think there is a nice balance right now. I just wish we would shorten the gun seasons or require a doe before a buck. We just don't have the open country for high powered rifles, where I hunt, there are houses withing a mile of me and many times have you drove down a country road and seen hunter orange in a tree from the road? Now this is just my opinion and you know what they say about those!!