Louisiana Department of Wildlife & FisheriesNews Release
L.D.W.F. ISSUES LIST OF APPROVED PRIMITIVE WEAPONS FOR 2008-09 PRIMITIVE HUNTING SEASON
In a response to the recent approval of Act 51, which partly consists of changing the language from a muzzleloader season to a primitive firearm season, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has issued a list of approved primitive firearms for the 2008-09 Primitive Firearm Season.
All of the approved primitive weapons meet the criteria set forth by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission as authorized primitive firearms. The criteria is a single shot, breech loading, metallic cartridge rifle with metallic cartridges loaded with either black powder or modern smokeless powder, .38 caliber or larger, of a kind or type manufactured prior to 1900 and replicas, and reproductions or reintroductions of that type rifle having an exposed hammer. The pre-1900 distinction applies only to the firearm and not the ammunition. All approved primitive firearms may be fitted with magnified scopes.
Approved single shot breech loading primitive weapons:
• Sharps rifles or replicas
• Remington Rollingblock rifles or replicas
• Ballard rifles
• Maynard rifles or carbines
• Burnside carbines
• Frank Wesson rifles
• Farrow rifles
• Remington Hepburn rifles
• M1873-1888 Springfield (Trapdoor) rifles and carbines and replicas
• Snider (British) rifles and replicas
• Wesson & Harrington 1871 rifles
• New England Firearms or Harrington & Richardson Handi rifles in caliber larger than .38
• Winchester M1885 Hi Wall or Lo Wall rifles or replicas (Also Browning B78 or 1885) .38 or larger
• Knight KP-1 in caliber .38 or larger
• CVA Optima Elite in caliber .38 or larger
• Traditions Pursuit break-open single shot in .38 caliber or larger
Non-approved single shot breech loading rifles:
• Ruger Number 1 and Number 3 (Reason: No exposed hammer)
• Thompson Center Contender or Encore Carbines (Reason: Designed after 1900)
• Mossberg SSi Single Shot Rifle (Reason: No exposed hammer and designed after 1900)
A primitive firearm license, formerly sold as a muzzleloader license, is required for the taking of deer during the primitive firearm season in addition to the required basic and big game hunting licenses. During the still hunt and with-or-without dogs segments of the (conventional firearms) deer season, the primitive firearm license is not required.
For more information on Louisiana hunting regulations, visit the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.