I can see why they would ban smokeless powder during muzzleloading season. There is a spray that makes smokeless powder residue glow under black light, if there is a poaching situtation or a questionable suspicious type kill, you would not be able to tell the difference between that or a centerfire.

Chris

Fella's first off it dosen't matter to me which or what you use in your ML to get the bullet to it intended target,as long as it is legal for you to do it.
The next time you get to talking to ML hunters do a little survy and ask what they shoot in their ML,I think you will be a little surprized,I know I was.( if they want to take the risk of getting their head blowed off ,its no skin off my nose)I did this this past year and seven out of ten people I ask,shooting a Knight or T/C encore was shooting smokeless.I even had two to explain to me why these rifles were more adapt to smokless than the Savage(I know they didn't make sence to me either)

But then again, during regular rifle season, I would like to see the ban lifted because it really would not matter as long as the game laws were followed for the harvest.

Chris

This sounds like a compound bow versus traditional bows versus crossbows. Oh my!<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

I think MO uses ML as another avenue for managing the herd. I don't mind, they seem to do a good job here.

I don't see how a traditional ML using a flintlock could care what the guy next door is using. Like has been said, as long as they make a quick clean kill, thats what really matters.

A friend of mine LOVES his TC Hawkens is it?? He is considering selling his other guns and just using it from now on. I am getting a pistol, he tells me its not traditional enough, I tell him to hunt his way and have fun. For me personally, firearms seasons here, including the ML season, is what I call an opportunity. If I don't have a deer from early bow season, its an opportunity to get some meat in the freezer. If I have one already, I am trophy hunting, and the guns help me reach out a little more. But thats me, for others it means something else, and thats GREAT!

Heck, I like bowhunting so much I kind of wonder why I hunt with the 30-06 anymore. I guess for a change.

--Jim

Greets folks,
Well lots of opinions here, and mine will just ad to the mix but here goes.
If you want to use all that fancy stuff to hunt, your still challenging yourself to a one shot one kill hunt. BUT you can get that with a single shot rifle. So use your fancy gear in the regular rifle season, and know that you've given yourself a handicap that makes your hunt a bit more rewarding.
As for the muzzloader only seasons, they were developed for traditionalists by traditiobnalists in most states. The only reason these new guns and equiptment are out is cause a bunch of people want to make it easier. Isnt the point of using a muzzleloader to make it more of a challenge??
If you hunt in muzzloader only season, use a traditional, open ignition open sighted gun with loose powder ( BP pyrodex or whatever), and a full caliber slug or round ball. It makes the hunt more challnging, you have to get closer to your animal to get an ethical shot and a clean kill.
I personally own a traditions hawken style gun with double triggers, love it. Have yet to take any game with it but I have only hunted with it a couple times, and I haven't gotten close enuff to anything legal to use it. BUT that is the point of the special hunts. ( incidentally, I used it during regular rifle season, so I was competing against all the other hunters too )

Just my uneducated opinion!
Terry