Hunting with a bow during muzzleloader season

[TommyH]

I guess i need to read up on the regs to get some more info on this topic. Can anyone clarify what this all means. Do you have to apply for the multi-season tag to use archery in ML? Or just purchase ML tag?

[dreamingbig]

It is in the new proposed regs.  You would only need to purchase a muzzleloader tag or have drawn the multiple season tag.

[JimmyHoffa]

It's a proposal, not in the regs yet.  If it does get incorporated into the regs, then you could buy a muzzy tag and use either a legal muzzy or legal bow.  Kind of like how the modern tag currently allows you to also use archery and muzzy gear (although 209s/scopes legal under the modern tag).
Currently the multi season ONLY allows muzzy gear during muzzy season.  IF the proposal is accepted, then archery gear would be allowed in all the season, basically allowing a bowhunter to hunt Sep-Dec for deer or elk.

[bobcat]

basically allowing a bowhunter to hunt Sep-Dec for deer or elk.

You still could only hunt archery season, or muzzleloader season, not both.
(I think you know that but want to make sure others don't get the wrong idea)

[JimmyHoffa]

Yeah, good call bobcat.  That was if someone had multiseason and the proposal is adopted.  It wouldn't allow a blanket 4 month season.  They would still have to follow all the individual seasons and GMUs.  But overall seems like a good amount of season for archers.  Most cases (for deer) it would be about 3-4 day breaks in between season.

[JimmyHoffa]

I didnt read all the pages of this post. Does it mean then that muzzy hunters get to hunt with muzzy during archery season too?

Unfortunately no.  Something to work on for the next round of proposals, though.  That and crossbows.

[deleted BGS]

archery is a lesser method. Thats why it will be allowed during ml season. Im assuming you could hunt with a ml during rifle season?

[fair-chase]

archery is a lesser method.

Says who??? If we are just speculating on what's more primitive I'll give my    but I don't see anywhere in the regs that currently quote archery as being a more primitive weapon.

Modern Inline Muzzleloader vs Longbow = Longbow wins for "lesser weapon"
Traditional Flintlock vs Bells and whistles compound = Muzzleloader wins for "lesser weapon"
All things being equal New Inline muzzle loader vs bells and whistles compound = tie

Im assuming you could hunt with a ml during rifle season?

Yes, you can hunt with both bows and muzzleloaders during the current rifle season.

[washelkhunter]

I think this is just a gimmick from some disgruntled archers to get in on the late part of the rut. I hear alot of squawking from the archers about the early start date for their season. From everyone else's perspective we see it as gee! Those archers are lucky they get first crack at game before the critters start wising up. I think it would be ok for archers to hunt during ML if they revert to shooting the real wood and not the mechanical marvels that pass for bows these days. Shoot wood bows, arrows and feather fletching. Ill allow you a steel point tho. Does that sound fair?

[hughjorgan]

Muzzleloaders can shoot hundred or more yards.... Only thing you have to worry about is misfiring. You guys are more effective and your seasons are set accordingly.

Archers can shoot fifty to sixty yards, the name of the game is to get close.

[hughjorgan]

I think this is just a gimmick from some disgruntled archers to get in on the late part of the rut. I hear alot of squawking from the archers about the early start date for their season. From everyone else's perspective we see it as gee! Those archers are lucky they get first crack at game before the critters start wising up. I think it would be ok for archers to hunt during ML if they revert to shooting the real wood and not the mechanical marvels that pass for bows these days. Shoot wood bows, arrows and feather fletching. Ill allow you a steel point tho. Does that sound fair?

I doubt they are disgruntled, probably more a long the line of wanting to hunt with there multi season tag and don't own a muzzleloader.

[bobcat]

On the westside, early season I would prefer a muzzleloader and late season, a bow.

Muzzleloaders can be a real hassle when it's pouring down rain every day.

[Hawgdawg]

I read somewhere that in the new proposals they were changing the rules so that you could hunt with a bow during muzzleloader season (with a muzzleloader tag of course).

Looking through the proposals I can't find this anywhere.

Has anyone else seen it in there somewhere?

always been that way. Hunt with a bow during, ML or Modern if you have that tag. You go down a weapon but not up.

[hughjorgan]

I read somewhere that in the new proposals they were changing the rules so that you could hunt with a bow during muzzleloader season (with a muzzleloader tag of course).

Looking through the proposals I can't find this anywhere.

Has anyone else seen it in there somewhere?

always been that way. Hunt with a bow during, ML or Modern if you have that tag. You go down a weapon but not up.

Negative. Was only that way for modern. Only thing you could hunt with during muzzy season was a muzzleloader

[hughjorgan]

On the westside, early season I would prefer a muzzleloader and late season, a bow.

Muzzleloaders can be a real hassle when it's pouring down rain every day.

Can't argue with there reliability when wet.