Here, we cannot use scopes during muzzle loader season. Myself, i cannot focus on the front sight without squinting pretty tight. Focusing on the rear sights is impossible, forcing the use of a peep. This has led me to practice with iron sights, more than with a scope. So far, except this year so far, i have notched my tag(s). There are those that think such regulations are depriving us older folk our 'rights'. Seems to me, allowing the use of 1X scopes, would be a big help to folk like myself, but, i have thus far managed to get by. It would make me happier, to leave the regulations the way they are, and let me have more tags.

Hunting our regular rifle seasons, is what i really enjoy doing, because then, i can use a scope on my muzzle loader. This year has been especially fun; all those many days in field carrying a scoped muzzle loader. Being able to really see the sights makes it some more fun for me.

There is one advantage to not being able to use a scope; the rifle becomes more compact, and lighter. After a long hike, my back doesn't hurt as much.

One thing that bothers me when i don't have a scoped rifle with, is that front sight perched out there on the end of the barrel. It seems so vulnerable to damage. The very first time i hunted muzzle loader season, i fell, and damaged the front sight. However, i have never damaged the front sight since. Having carried a scoped rifle for over 50 year, and falling so very very many times without hurting the scope, has made me a believer in the reliability of good scopes. There is no doubt in my mind, that the front sight is far more vulnerable to damage, than a good scope is.

At this writing, i cannot decide if not allowing scopes during muzzle loader season, is bad thing, or good thing.