nekwah
member
Ive been wondering that since a muzzloader is technically a firearm you should be able to use it on deer during firearm season right. I dont see why there would be any problem with this or do i have it all mixed up.
A muzzleoader is a firearm isnt it?
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Jorg Nysgerrig
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Depends on the state, most states specify what a legal firearm is for hunting in a given season.
For example, there in Nebraska, you can use all these on the firearm hunt:
From: http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/pdfs/biggame.pdf
For example, there in Nebraska, you can use all these on the firearm hunt:
LEGAL WEAPONS
FOR DEER AND ANTELOPE
Firearm Permits: Legal weapons
include:
1. Rifles* that deliver at least 900 ft.- lbs. of energy at 100 yards;
2. Handguns* that deliver at least 400 ft.-lbs. of energy at 50 yards;
3. Muzzleloading rifles .44 or larger;
4. Muzzleloading muskets .62 or larger, firing a single slug;
5. Shotguns* of 20 gauge or larger that fire a single slug;
6. Archery equipment is not allowed, except crossbows that have a draw weight of 125 pounds or more.
* Semi-automatic firearms capable of holding more than six cartridges are not allowed.
FOR DEER AND ANTELOPE
Firearm Permits: Legal weapons
include:
1. Rifles* that deliver at least 900 ft.- lbs. of energy at 100 yards;
2. Handguns* that deliver at least 400 ft.-lbs. of energy at 50 yards;
3. Muzzleloading rifles .44 or larger;
4. Muzzleloading muskets .62 or larger, firing a single slug;
5. Shotguns* of 20 gauge or larger that fire a single slug;
6. Archery equipment is not allowed, except crossbows that have a draw weight of 125 pounds or more.
* Semi-automatic firearms capable of holding more than six cartridges are not allowed.
From: http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/pdfs/biggame.pdf
JWF III
Member
In the eyes of the Feds (ATF), NO. A muzzleloader IS NOT a firearm. They can be bought and/or shipped to anyone. This even includes pistols.
Of course this is only federal laws. Socialist states such as California, Illinois, New York and similar others will not allow shipment to your home. Sales I'm not sure about, I live in a (somewhat) free state. I bought my first muzzleloader at 16 yo. I was never even asked for ID.
Wyman
Of course this is only federal laws. Socialist states such as California, Illinois, New York and similar others will not allow shipment to your home. Sales I'm not sure about, I live in a (somewhat) free state. I bought my first muzzleloader at 16 yo. I was never even asked for ID.
Wyman
BHP FAN
Member
I've bought plenty of cap 'n' ball sixguns from mail order houses.There is no California law against it.Lets not make up any laws that don't exist.
With the exception of JWF III's mention of California, all of the above are correct.
I don't know all the laws in all the states. However, I am a Hunter Safety Education volunteer who specializes in the muzzleloading section of the course. The same course material is taught in all the states, and nowhere in our curricula is there anything about muzzleloaders being prohibited during the regular firearms season in any state (as long as they meet the same caliber and energy requirements all guns must meet in that state).
I don't know all the laws in all the states. However, I am a Hunter Safety Education volunteer who specializes in the muzzleloading section of the course. The same course material is taught in all the states, and nowhere in our curricula is there anything about muzzleloaders being prohibited during the regular firearms season in any state (as long as they meet the same caliber and energy requirements all guns must meet in that state).
Ratdog68
Member
Uhhh...
legal opinions of your buddies here are of little value if/when the only opinion that matters are those described within one's state's hunting regulations booklet. Let their legal dept. clarify in writing if they're not clear enough in the booklet.
legal opinions of your buddies here are of little value if/when the only opinion that matters are those described within one's state's hunting regulations booklet. Let their legal dept. clarify in writing if they're not clear enough in the booklet.
BernieD
Member
I know we have separate seasons for muzzle loader, modern firearm, and archery. I think its okay to use muzzle loader during modern firearm season, but I'm not sure. I've never really looked into it. I have a different rifle for each season.
arcticap
Member
Muzzle Loaders can not be used during Connecticut's regular firearms deer seasons, but only during the deer season dedicated to muzzle loading.
And legalizing up to .36 caliber muzzle loading rifles shooting round ball only for state land small game hunting was only enacted here in the last decade. Black powder shotgun hunting for small game was always legal on state land as long as the state land shot size restrictions were followed (#2 shot or smaller).
The myriad of state hunting reg's is probably the reason why the national curricula doesn't mention any specific state restrictions. That's left up to the instructors to tailor into their course so they can teach the applicable reg.'s for their state.
And legalizing up to .36 caliber muzzle loading rifles shooting round ball only for state land small game hunting was only enacted here in the last decade. Black powder shotgun hunting for small game was always legal on state land as long as the state land shot size restrictions were followed (#2 shot or smaller).
The myriad of state hunting reg's is probably the reason why the national curricula doesn't mention any specific state restrictions. That's left up to the instructors to tailor into their course so they can teach the applicable reg.'s for their state.
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WardenWolf
member
Depends on the state. Some states use a graduated system, where you can always use a lesser weapon to hunt as long as the weapon would otherwise be legal for taking that type of game. After all, there's no real reason to restrict muzzle loaders and archers from the normal season if they wish to compete with normal hunters for their prizes.
Arizona uses such a system. They have archery and muzzleloading seasons separate, then a General season where you can use any of the approved methods.
Arizona uses such a system. They have archery and muzzleloading seasons separate, then a General season where you can use any of the approved methods.
JWF III
Member
Sorry, but I misread the original question. I didn't see the part about deer hunting. I thought that you were referring to (federal) gun laws.
For the correct answer, see your state game and fish regs.
Here in Georgia, you can use "Primitive Weapons" in standard rifle season. And you can use archery in muzzleloader season.
So basically it's like this...
Archery Season-must have Primitive Weapons Stamp-Archery Only
Muzzleloader Season-Primitive Weapons Stamp-Muzzleloader or Archery
Rifle Season- Standard Licsence-Any (legal) Weapon you choose
Wyman
For the correct answer, see your state game and fish regs.
Here in Georgia, you can use "Primitive Weapons" in standard rifle season. And you can use archery in muzzleloader season.
So basically it's like this...
Archery Season-must have Primitive Weapons Stamp-Archery Only
Muzzleloader Season-Primitive Weapons Stamp-Muzzleloader or Archery
Rifle Season- Standard Licsence-Any (legal) Weapon you choose
Wyman
armedandsafe
Member
BernieD, yes you can use a muzzleloader during regular season in Washington. The law states any legal firearm. The minimum requirements for caliber and charge apply, but you can use any sights, any ignition system and any bullet during regular season. The sight, cap and bullet restrictions apply during blackpowder season.
One thing nice is that you can use a muzzle loader in most shotgun only areas. Check the regs for the area you are hunting, tough as there are a few over on the wet side where it is truely shotgun only.
Pops
One thing nice is that you can use a muzzle loader in most shotgun only areas. Check the regs for the area you are hunting, tough as there are a few over on the wet side where it is truely shotgun only.
Pops
this year, as an "experiment" (so says the literature), Rhode Island allowed muzzleloaders during shotgun season. Normally the muzzleloader season is the three weeks or so before shotgun. And bow starts earlier and runs concurrent with muzzleloader (I think).
-Daizee
-Daizee
bigbadgun
Member
as far as I know here in florida you can use a muzzleloader during general gun season it does vary by state however.
Macmac
Member
It is wise to check local regs and law..
NH has a muzzeloading season before regular rifle season for deer, but there is nothing to stop you from using a muzzeloader the whole time.
The thing in NH is you can take only one deer with any kind of a gun. So if you take a deer in muzzel loading season yer done...
The only other deer you can take is with a bow..
One poor fool took a deer with a gun of some sort, then went and bought another license and took another deer.. He got busted for that 2nd deer too!
Just to show you laws differ the smallest muzzel loader you can use in NH is a .40 cal, which differs from Nebraska.
NH has a muzzeloading season before regular rifle season for deer, but there is nothing to stop you from using a muzzeloader the whole time.
The thing in NH is you can take only one deer with any kind of a gun. So if you take a deer in muzzel loading season yer done...
The only other deer you can take is with a bow..
One poor fool took a deer with a gun of some sort, then went and bought another license and took another deer.. He got busted for that 2nd deer too!
Just to show you laws differ the smallest muzzel loader you can use in NH is a .40 cal, which differs from Nebraska.
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