Scopes for 2021 WA Muzzleloader season?

[Dan-o]

Not sure a 1X scope would be any better for accuracy over an iron peep site setup at reasonable ML distances? I really don’t know, just started into ML recently.

For some of us old guys it would make a huge difference.   

I've hunted muzzleloader for 40 years.   

Until 10 years ago, I could focus on both the sights and the target reasonably well.  I wasnt winning any shooting competitions but I would shoot 75 yardage and could keep them in a 2" group every outing.   

My eyes are no longer as resilient/flexible.   I really have to choose between focusing on the sights OR the target.  My accuracy has suffered badly. 

A 1X scope would really help me.   
I know several older guys in this boat.  Our eyes just cant do it anymore. 

[Dan-o]

Death by a thousand cuts.
Inlines, waterproof primers, scopes- it all adds up.

People on this site love to bag on Seattle politics- you get what you vote for. These game regs are the exact same thing. If you want a PRIMITIVE weapon season- keep it PRIMITIVE. But no, everybody wants to cheat a little bit and make it just a bit easier or more comfortable.

Don't complain with the season reductions, permit reductions, and lack of opportunities. IT will be coming.

You'll get no argument from me. 

I was against inlines and all that stuff.   Carried my Hawkins for decades.

Here I find myself not able to focus on iron sights.........   yeah, I'd put a 1X scope on even though I have always said I was against technology creep. 

That probably makes me a hypocrite.   
But I'd love to hunt a few more years.

[JimmyHoffa]

Not sure a 1X scope would be any better for accuracy over an iron peep site setup at reasonable ML distances? I really don’t know, just started into ML recently.

For some of us old guys it would make a huge difference.   

I've hunted muzzleloader for 40 years.   

Until 10 years ago, I could focus on both the sights and the target reasonably well.  I wasnt winning any shooting competitions but I would shoot 75 yardage and could keep them in a 2" group every outing.   

My eyes are no longer as resilient/flexible.   I really have to choose between focusing on the sights OR the target.  My accuracy has suffered badly. 

A 1X scope would really help me.   
I know several older guys in this boat.  Our eyes just cant do it anymore.

Not just an age thing, if you hunt the really heavy stuff you may not have the light needed for open sights for an hour or so later than legal shooting begins.  I would assume a 1x of decent clarity would eliminate that issue.  I'm not advocating for the optic yet, though.

[Stein]

The higher the harvest rate, the more limitations will be placed on the seasons.  I don't hunt muzzie in WA, but would be thinking about that when I gave any feedback on increasing the effectiveness of smoke poles, they are hugely popular and small changes can have big results sometimes, especially when several changes happen quickly.

[Wetwoodshunter]

I hope that this happens. I have a friend that quit muzzleloading because his eyes can't focus on both sights at the same time due to getting older.

Scopes would be no problem for him and get him back out during the season he loved so much.

[Cougartail]

If you have vision disabilities you can apply for a scope exemption.

[WapitiTalk1]

Not sure a 1X scope would be any better for accuracy over an iron peep site setup at reasonable ML distances? I really don’t know, just started into ML recently.

For some of us old guys it would make a huge difference.   

I've hunted muzzleloader for 40 years.   

Until 10 years ago, I could focus on both the sights and the target reasonably well.  I wasnt winning any shooting competitions but I would shoot 75 yardage and could keep them in a 2" group every outing.   

My eyes are no longer as resilient/flexible.   I really have to choose between focusing on the sights OR the target.  My accuracy has suffered badly. 

A 1X scope would really help me.   
I know several older guys in this boat.  Our eyes just cant do it anymore.

Gotcha, thanks. Ya, I’m a seasoned hunter myself (6+ decades on the big green planet).

[Dan-o]

If you have vision disabilities you can apply for a scope exemption.

Thanks.
I will definitely look into this.

Any hints on where to start this process?

[suga]

 

[Cougartail]

If you have vision disabilities you can apply for a scope exemption.

Thanks.
I will definitely look into this.

Any hints on where to start this process?

I would call Olympia. I saw it on the muzzleloader season summary on an internet search.

[BreezyBear]

But who makes a 1x scope that does not have any electronics in it? I do not see much.

Looks like maybe vortex and Thompson center make one (I just googled it and they were the first two results).

The Vortex one is discontinued 

[Bob33]

I expect we will see more and more expansions in allowable hunting equipment. As states like Washington lose hunters and their associated revenues their game departments will attempt to attract and retain hunters by allowing more equipment choices. I foresee that scoped muzzleloaders, crossbows for archery, cellular trail cameras, .22 centerfires for big game, even drones will be put forth for consideration. Short-term gains with long-term consequences.

[buckfvr]

If you have vision disabilities you can apply for a scope exemption.

Thanks.
I will definitely look into this.

Any hints on where to start this process?

Im pretty sure there are hoops to jump through, same as say you have a bad shoulder and cant pull your bow any more.  Friend tried on the shoulder thing and he was told that in order to qualify he would have to go the route of surgical correction if recommended, and then apply if that didnt work based on doctors report.  So if that is criteria (im not sure), if your eyes could be surgically repaired, that would be the course of action first.  Now maybe something on the line of macular degeneration might get you the scope, but again hinged on doctor who files your paper work.

[CP]

Not that I'm opposed, but I just can't visualize one of these on my Bighorn.  And I'd need some sort of blast shield to keep the primer gases off of it.  Co-witness?

When I first saw this thread I thought "at least 5 pages of haters flaming technology"  ...   so far it's surprisingly civil.

[buckfvr]

I expect we will see more and more expansions in allowable hunting equipment. As states like Washington lose hunters and their associated revenues their game departments will attempt to attract and retain hunters by allowing more equipment choices. I foresee that scoped muzzleloaders, crossbows for archery, cellular trail cameras, .22 centerfires for big game, even drones will be put forth for consideration. Short-term gains with long-term consequences.

I think theres much more "taketh" than "giveth" on the horizon.