Poll- non magnifying scopes on muzzle loaders?

[huntnphool]

Archery is a “primitive” hunt as well.

Bows should only be made of wood, no lighted nocks, no fiber optic pins, no cams, animal gut strings only, …

 You forgot no broadheads.

[CP]

Archery is a “primitive” hunt as well.

Bows should only be made of wood, no lighted nocks, no fiber optic pins, no cams, animal gut strings only, …

 You forgot no broadheads.

Nice catch - stone points only ..

[huntnphool]

Archery is a “primitive” hunt as well.

Bows should only be made of wood, no lighted nocks, no fiber optic pins, no cams, animal gut strings only, …

 You forgot no broadheads.

Nice catch - stone points only ..

Can you imagine grinding them to get the perfect 6gr per pound of pull?

[CP]

No Clovis points either, pre-Paleoindian only.

[Dan-o]

I voted yes.....

My eyes are starting to fail and I can no longer focus on a front sight, a rear sight and a target


Selfish reason, but that's why I vote yes. 

[trophyhunt]

I don't agree that the success limit would increase too much, but the number of lost animals would drop.  todays archery equipment is not primitive, as far as cheaters go, there will always be those guys, a new law won't make a difference with them.

[Myrtle Creek Inc.]

Overall, there needs to be some common ground that allows youth hunters and less skilled marksmen to have higher rates of success, while not taking the sport to the levels of centerfire seasons. Dealing with all the regulations in the various states, I have seen states try all kinds of different regulations in efforts to curb progress in muzzleloading. There are a few states that I think are on the right track for the future of our sport and the evolving technology. The main thing to keep in mind is how to balance each of our personal preference with the desires of the rest of the hunting community. Traditionalists need to accept that more and more hunters want to use inline muzzleloaders, and inline hunters need to be aware of the preference of keeping things how they are/were by traditionalists.

Currently, New Mexico has several hunts that are so restrictive that you have to use a sidelock muzzleloader in premium elk and deer units. On the other side, they also offer general muzzleloader tags across the state, which allow just about any modern inline to be used, including the Remington 700 UML. This is a broad range of equipment and serves the state well with allowing each group to have their time in the woods. Pennsylvania has long been known for their late-season flintlock only hunt, and recently opened a separate inline season earlier in the year, with fewer days. This has been a huge hit with many hunters, and this season is actually longer for youth hunters and is helping to get more kids into the woods.

Overall, I believe the two muzzleloader season track is the best one to allow more participants to our sport, while keeping the sanctity of traditional muzzleloading and enjoying its own season. This will allow newbies and hunters with poorer eyesight, or those just preferring scopes, to have their season and get out and enjoy the sport on their terms, while still allowing the traditionalists to enjoy the woods to themselves. Let's face it, with sabots and inlines already being legal in Washington, the laws are already allowing a whole sect of hunters that are non-traditionalists. Allowing those hunters to have a scope of some sort will increase the probability of success, and decrease the probability of wounded game. Granted this line of thinking is based on opinion, but overall we do need to work together to find an amicable solution.

With that being said, I think if Washington allows non-magnifying scopes, they are half a step away from 209 primers and variable zoom scopes. Depending on where you stand on the issue, I would recommend calling your local rep and voicing your opinion. When a decision is made, there are going to be some who disagree and some who agree, but either way, as hunters we need to come together and support each other in our sport. We are up against a growing liberal presence that would love nothing more than to eradicate all hunting seasons. If we continue to fight inwardly and use our time to battle each other, the other side is going to continue to make progress against us. In the end, we all enjoy the woods and hunting so let's keep that in mind and work together on a solution.

[Skillet]

Two types of muzzleloading season is interesting, but the "modern muzzleloader" side would press hard to minimize the opportunity set aside for "traditional muzzleloader" hunters. 

We already have a primitive weapons seasons system.  I world prefer we come to a consensus for more rigidly defining what a primitive weapon means in the context of those seasons than to further split our group up between traditional and modern ML's, compound and recurve archery, etc.  Continuing to divide our ranks to justify the use of every new whiz-bang widget that gets pimped on hunting shows is not going to improve anybody's hunring situation.  Only the outdoor industry's widget suppliers' bottom line.

[trophyhunt]

Good points guys.

[Gringo31]

If I were a game warden or wildlife policeman or whatever they're called these days, I'd want this to be a no vote.  You'd have to add to the list of looking down every scope and verifying that it is non magnifying. 

I voted no

And to Dano complaining of his aging eyes...... no, he doesn't count as a primitive weapon 

[Curly]

The "we all have to stick together" argument makes me chuckle.    It depends on what side of the issue you're on as to whether or not everyone is "sticking" together. 

If most would stick together or side with the traditional guys, then the subject shouldn't even be enough of an issue to even be discissing.

Anyway, I vote no. My aging eyes are getting worse too and peep sights help some. Also, getting closer helps. 

[jstone]

No

[BULLBLASTER]

The "we all have to stick together" argument makes me chuckle.    It depends on what side of the issue you're on as to whether or not everyone is "sticking" together. 

If most would stick together or side with the traditional guys, then the subject shouldn't even be enough of an issue to even be discissing.

Anyway, I vote no. My aging eyes are getting worse too and peep sights help some. Also, getting closer helps. 

if you don't agree with me you aren't sticking together! 

[Bob33]

People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along? Can we stop making it, making it horrible for the older people and the kids?

[Stein]

Overall, there needs to be some common ground that allows youth hunters and less skilled marksmen to have higher rates of success[/quote

There is, it's called the rifle range.  Best part is there is no season and no limits on the paper targets a guy can shoot in a year.