Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: Lowedog on December 24, 2010, 07:59:15 AM

Title: Restrictions state to state
Post by: Lowedog on December 24, 2010, 07:59:15 AM: Thought this might be an interesting topic for conversation.

There seems to be no consistency from state to state for muzzleloader restrictions. What got me looking at this is I was reading up on Blackhorn 209 black powder substitute and trying to find out if anyone had done some testing with using #11 or musket caps to light it off. Looks like a 209 primer is the only thing that will light it off. Rules it out for WA.

So while looking around I find that New Mexico has declared BH 209 as a smokeless powder and therefor illegal to use for ML seasons. They do allow 209 primers and scopes though. :dunno: NM does have some special restricted ML hunts where inlines, sabots and belted bullets, pelleted powder and scopes are illegal.

I think WA, ID and OR are fairly close in ML restrictions but most of the other western states are all over the place. Some basically have no restrictions. You read some of these stories of guys shooting game at 300 yards!

I like WA restrictions the way they are. To me it's a fair balance between primitive and modern.
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: boneaddict on December 24, 2010, 08:01:57 AM: I agree
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: Bob33 on December 24, 2010, 08:03:39 AM: There is no consistency state to state in most of the regulations. In Montana you can hunt big game with a .223. In Wyoming crossbows are legal in archery seasons. In most of the states you can have a loaded magazine in your rifle while in your vehicle. In Colorado you must have proof of hunter education unless you're 61 or older.

Washington regs stop at the borders, and hunters need to study the regs for each state they plan to visit.
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: boneaddict on December 24, 2010, 08:05:00 AM: Its also funny to note how some regs are a couple pages and some are literally in book form. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: Bob33 on December 24, 2010, 08:08:46 AM: By the way, the restrictions for muzzleloaders do not apply if you are hunting with a modern tag in a modern season. Scopes, 209 primers, etc. are all legal.
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: Lowedog on December 24, 2010, 08:11:28 AM: Quote from: Bob33 on December 24, 2010, 08:03:39 AM
There is no consistency state to state in most of the regulations. In Montana you can hunt big game with a .223. In Wyoming crossbows are legal in archery seasons. In most of the states you can have a loaded magazine in your rifle while in your vehicle. In Colorado you must have proof of hunter education unless you're 61 or older.

Washington regs stop at the borders, and hunters need to study the regs for each state they plan to visit.

Definitely agree with that. WY has the same rule about hunter education, I don't remember the age cut off. I had to turn in a form to WDFW that was notarized saying approximately when I took it so I could get a new card because they don't have records dating back to when I took the course. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: Bob33 on December 24, 2010, 08:13:35 AM: Wyoming: required if born on or after 1/1/1966.

Colorado: required if born on or after 1/1/1949.

California: required of everyone.
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: mack2255 on December 24, 2010, 08:15:47 AM: As much as I hate to agree....Well I do agree with how Wa has its M/L restrictions . :bash:
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: boneaddict on December 24, 2010, 08:17:31 AM: I had the same. Couldn't find my card. I think I needed it to apply for Utah or Nevada. Anyways......jumped through those hoops and got a replacement card, a nice plastic credit card looking thing, then found my paper one later. Complete different numbers on them. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: IMAREDNECK on December 24, 2010, 10:58:03 PM: I've hunted deer and elk in WA with my muzzleloaders for at least 15 yrs now. The only thing I'd like to see changed in the regs is to be legal to put a 1X scope on it. I'm gettin' old enough that crosshairs would be alot more easy to focus on than the fiber optic sights I have now.
Glen
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: bobcat on December 24, 2010, 11:51:11 PM: Quote from: Bob33 on December 24, 2010, 08:08:46 AM
By the way, the restrictions for muzzleloaders do not apply if you are hunting with a modern tag in a modern season. Scopes, 209 primers, etc. are all legal.

Yeah, they better be legal for something in this state since it seems that the only muzzleloaders the Lacey Cabelas sells are the ones that would not be legal for our muzzleloader seasons. Every time I go in there and see them I have to wonder who the heck are they selling all these muzzleloaders to? Are there really that many people buying a muzzleloader to use during modern firearm season? If I were to hunt in a firearm restriction area during modern season, I would be using a shotgun, not a muzzleloader. But I guess that's just me? :dunno:
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 24, 2010, 11:57:01 PM: Bobcat, I have asked myself that same question when in Cabelas. I figure in a lot of cases people buy before they check the regs. They sell all kinds of things that can't be used for hunting in this state (with a few exceptions), such as electronics to go on bows/guns, nightvision, etc.
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state: Tape for weatherproofing legal?
Post by: kerrdog on December 25, 2010, 12:06:25 AM: It just happens that scopes would be of limited use where we hunt. Of course there's always a time where a scope is handy, but in Ryderwood and Coweeman GMU's, you can't see out more than 50 yards most of the time. (Road-hunters do not be offended.) Even if I was hunting modern rifle, I'd carry a 30/30 Marlin with open sights. So the only 'handicap' is the fact that you get one shot, realistically. Oh, and they have the exposed primer rule here.

My question:

Are you allowed to put tape over the end of the barrel to block moisture? (in Washington.)

Are you allowed to use tape to waterproof your cap?

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: KLRKeith on December 25, 2010, 07:12:55 AM: I don't find WA reg any more confusing than other states. I've lived in LA, TX, AK, ND and they all seem to have their quirks. States all have their ideas on how to manage game and they all give in to managing by politics to some degree.

Kerdog i was checked by F&G with a rubber cover over my muzzle this year and nothing was said.
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state: Tape for weatherproofing legal?
Post by: BlackRidge on December 25, 2010, 07:18:34 AM: Quote from: kerrdog on December 25, 2010, 12:06:25 AM
My question:

Are you allowed to put tape over the end of the barrel to block moisture? (in Washington.)

Are you allowed to use tape to waterproof your cap?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I can't see why it would be illegal. All the illegal stuff pertains more to optics/breech type and & ignition source. Using something to block water from getting into your barrel is just a good idea, same with trying to keep your caps dry.

Merry Xmas! w00t
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: WestPlains_Drifter on December 25, 2010, 08:11:24 AM: Quote from: KLRKeith on December 25, 2010, 07:12:55 AM
Kerdog i was checked by F&G with a rubber cover over my muzzle this year and nothing was said.

I had a finger from a rubber glove over mine and they didn't say anything, I never really knew if that was legal, kinda the grey area.
Title: Re: Restrictions state to state
Post by: Wazukie on December 25, 2010, 08:37:06 AM: I use electrical tape over the end of the barrel and over the area the cap is in. The reg's state that the cap can not be covered by an integral part of the riffle. I.E a manufactured piece attached to riffle. At least that's the way I read it, if I'm wrong oh well.

Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock,
flintlock, or percussion using original style
percussion caps that fit on the nipple and
are exposed to the weather. "Exposed to
the weather" means the percussion cap or
the frizzen must be visible and not capable
of being enclosed by an integral part of the
weapon proper. Primers designed to be
used in modern cartridges are not legal.