Guys, I hate to say this, but we are a dying breed. The NEW generation of Muzzle Loader hunters wants to shoot Muzzle Loaders that shoot faster, flatter and further. Especially with Muzzle Loaders that shoot smokeless powder so they don't have to clean immediately if at all. Not to mention the states that are banning the use of Lead bullets. It appears to me, the days of true Muzzle Loaders whose maximum range of 100 yds or so are fading away. I can see in the not-so-far-away future there will no longer be a dedicated ML season but an open season to use what you want.
God, Please Tell Me I'm WRONG!
I have to agree, and we have done it to ourselves by supporting the relentless push for technological advancement. Happening in archery as well as muzzleloaders. In 1997 I turned away from compound bows and returned to the simple recurves that I started with in 1965. I started muzzleloading with a TC Omega inline variant called the Northwest Explorer in 2010, moved on to the Traditions Vortek strikerfire in about 2015, and now I've abandoned inlines in favor of a Renegade, which I'm finding to be MUCH more enjoyable.
To me, the big objective is to encourage primitive weapons hunting of all kinds, for these reasons: 1) It takes more hunter-days for each animal killed, which means more recreational opportunity for the same impact on the wildlife populations, and thus allows for longer seasons; 2) Because primitive weapons are more difficult, they require more hunting skills and deeper knowledge of the animals and their ecology. A hunter population with better hunting skills and deeper knowledge of wildlife makes for better public relations and better wildlife management; 3) Preservation of important parts of our cultural heritage; and 4) Primitive weapons are safer, and are thus more compatible with heavier human populations, which is increaseingly important in our world.
I think that Montana's approach to muzzleloaders is great: Hunt with any weapon(s) you want during the General season. Then, to encourage primitive weapons hunting, there's a Heritage Muzzleloader season in which only iron-sighted sidelocks shooting loose powder and full-bore all-lead bullets are legal. No fiber optics, no luminescent paint, no 209 primers, no smokeless powder, etc. I think the Heritage season should be between the archery season (4 September - 17 October) and the General season (most of November) rather than after the General, but at least we're moving in the right direction.
I will be advocating for a similar structure with archery seasons: A three week traditional (no wheels, single string, no mechanical release aids, no fiber optics or lenses, etc.) season, followed by a two week any archery season.
