Can a Knight big horn 209 be switched to western legal?

[Oh Mah]

 

[JDHasty]

I have emailed WDFW Enforcement for a definitive answer.  This comes up all the time, and since my ML hunting is done in a Firearms Restricted area during Modern Season I did not have reason to pin down the answer.  But I am also a Hunter Ed Instructor and would like to have been able to give an opinion in the past.  Many times. 

I copied the photo and asked for a definitive answer, so unless and until WDFW responds one way or the other the default position is that it is GTG. 

[JDHasty]

Here is the response from WDFW.  I will archive the email in case any member ever needs it. 

Mr. Hasty-
 
I spoke with multiple officers and we came to the consensus that yes that would be legal because the tape isn’t considered an integral part of the weapon proper. Therefore it falls out of the verbiage described in the hunting pamphlet.
 
Good luck hunting!
 
Thank you,
Lexie

[BULLBLASTER]

Here is the response from WDFW.  I will archive the email in case any member ever needs it. 

Mr. Hasty-
 
I spoke with multiple officers and we came to the consensus that yes that would be legal because the tape isn’t considered an integral part of the weapon proper. Therefore it falls out of the verbiage described in the hunting pamphlet.
 
Good luck hunting!
 
Thank you,
Lexie

[Sabotloader]

Here is the response from WDFW.  I will archive the email in case any member ever needs it. 

Mr. Hasty-
 
I spoke with multiple officers and we came to the consensus that yes that would be legal because the tape isn’t considered an integral part of the weapon proper. Therefore it falls out of the verbiage described in the hunting pamphlet.
 
Good luck hunting!
 
Thank you,
Lexie

Really glad to see things have not changed...

[cm2cb4]

I have a bighorn and a Disc Extreme in western of course.  I've often wondered about using tape to cover the exposed area as it isn't integral. I still haven't tried it b/c it kinda falls into a gray area and open to interpretation (spirit vs letter of law). The one deciding that is the game warden, and I wouldn't want to have my stuff confiscated for the season and have to go through the legal battles when I can just use my gloved hand to cover the hole as part of my field carry of the weapon. But if you try it in the field and FWO says it's good to go, revisit this thread to let us know.

[JDHasty]

I have a bighorn and a Disc Extreme in western of course.  I've often wondered about using tape to cover the exposed area as it isn't integral. I still haven't tried it b/c it kinda falls into a gray area and open to interpretation (spirit vs letter of law). The one deciding that is the game warden, and I wouldn't want to have my stuff confiscated for the season and have to go through the legal battles when I can just use my gloved hand to cover the hole as part of my field carry of the weapon. But if you try it in the field and FWO says it's good to go, revisit this thread to let us know.

You can see that I asked for a definitive answer, so this is WDFW's official position on this subject.   

Hi,
 
Can you have someone provide me with a definitive answer to this question?
 
Please see the attached photo.  This has recently come up as a topic of discussion on Hunting-Washington.com and the photo was posted with this caption below it:  The game warden at my son's hunter's ed class tickets that as it isn't exposed to the weather.  You can shelter it under your arm, but you can't tape over it or add anything to the gun that keeps it from being exposed to the weather.
 
I have heard this same question posed at the Hunter Education classes that I participate by helping out in at Tacoma Rifle & Revolver Club and there were opposing opinions on whether this would, or would not, be legal during Muzzle Loader Seasons.
 
It would be nice to be able to have something to base an opinion on. 
 
Thank you

[Sabotloader]

I have a bighorn and a Disc Extreme in western of course.  I've often wondered about using tape to cover the exposed area as it isn't integral. I still haven't tried it b/c it kinda falls into a gray area and open to interpretation (spirit vs letter of law). The one deciding that is the game warden, and I wouldn't want to have my stuff confiscated for the season and have to go through the legal battles when I can just use my gloved hand to cover the hole as part of my field carry of the weapon. But if you try it in the field and FWO says it's good to go, revisit this thread to let us know.

If it concerns you I would print a copy of the email - who it went to and what the response was. Seal it in plastic and pack it into your hunting essentials. 

But, I can tell you this is the same basic answer I received 5 years ago from the Washington LEO's.

[luvmystang67]

Yeah, going to need a copy of this to keep my duct tape game strong.

Are the rules the same in Idaho? (sabotloader)?

[JDHasty]

Yeah, going to need a copy of this to keep my duct tape game strong.

Are the rules the same in Idaho? (sabotloader)?

Here it is: 

[Sabotloader]

Yeah, going to need a copy of this to keep my duct tape game strong.

Are the rules the same in Idaho? (sabotloader)?

Yes and Oregon also - anyway they were 5 years ago.

Idaho Rule

Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of
the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked
and ready to fire.

You no what I can not find an Oregon rule specific to cap exposure

Oregon Rule

It is illegal to hunt with centerfire primers as an ignition source during muzzleloader-only seasons and 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction of shotgun/muzzleloader only or archery/muzzleloader only.

[Bob33]

Yeah, going to need a copy of this to keep my duct tape game strong.

Are the rules the same in Idaho? (sabotloader)?

Yes and Oregon also - anyway they were 5 years ago.

Idaho Rule

Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of
the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked
and ready to fire.

You no what I can not find an Oregon rule specific to cap exposure

Oregon Rule

It is illegal to hunt with centerfire primers as an ignition source during muzzleloader-only seasons and 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction of shotgun/muzzleloader only or archery/muzzleloader only.

Does this help:

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_600/oar_635/635_045.html

(46) “Muzzleloader” is any single-barreled (shotguns may be double barreled) long gun meant to be fired from the shoulder and loaded from the muzzle with an open ignition system and open or peep sights.


(50) “Open Ignition” is an ignition system where the percussion cap, or frizzen, or flint is visible and exposed to the weather at all times and is not capable of being closed or covered by any permanent piece of the weapon.

[Sabotloader]

Yeah, going to need a copy of this to keep my duct tape game strong.

Are the rules the same in Idaho? (sabotloader)?

Yes and Oregon also - anyway they were 5 years ago.

Idaho Rule

Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of
the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked
and ready to fire.

You no what I can not find an Oregon rule specific to cap exposure

Oregon Rule

It is illegal to hunt with centerfire primers as an ignition source during muzzleloader-only seasons and 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction of shotgun/muzzleloader only or archery/muzzleloader only.

Does this help:

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_600/oar_635/635_045.html

(46) “Muzzleloader” is any single-barreled (shotguns may be double barreled) long gun meant to be fired from the shoulder and loaded from the muzzle with an open ignition system and open or peep sights.


(50) “Open Ignition” is an ignition system where the percussion cap, or frizzen, or flint is visible and exposed to the weather at all times and is not capable of being closed or covered by any permanent piece of the weapon.

GREAT - you found it - was pretty sure it existed but could not come up with it quickly...  even than as I found out several years ago man taking precautions with temporary devices still is OK...  As then and now the regulation pretty much spells it out...

Thanks Bob!

[Sabotloader]

Yeah, going to need a copy of this to keep my duct tape game strong.

Are the rules the same in Idaho? (sabotloader)?

Yes and Oregon also - anyway they were 5 years ago.

Idaho Rule

Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of
the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked
and ready to fire.

You no what I can not find an Oregon rule specific to cap exposure

Oregon Rule

It is illegal to hunt with centerfire primers as an ignition source during muzzleloader-only seasons and 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction of shotgun/muzzleloader only or archery/muzzleloader only.

Does this help:

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_600/oar_635/635_045.html

(46) “Muzzleloader” is any single-barreled (shotguns may be double barreled) long gun meant to be fired from the shoulder and loaded from the muzzle with an open ignition system and open or peep sights.


(50) “Open Ignition” is an ignition system where the percussion cap, or frizzen, or flint is visible and exposed to the weather at all times and is not capable of being closed or covered by any permanent piece of the weapon.

GREAT - you found it - was pretty sure it existed but could not come up with it quickly...  even now as I found out several years ago man taking precautions with temporary devices still is OK...  As then and now the regulation pretty much spells it out...

Thanks Bob!

[luvmystang67]

So it looks like WA and OR are the same.

My go-to on the barrel is duct tape. 

It appears to me that I could use Duct Tape on the breech in Idaho, but when I cocked it to fire, I'd have to take that off.  Or, I could use nail polish or vaseline or some other type of grease to coat my nipple.  Is that how you'd read Idaho?