RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

The "primitive" season should be just that. If it were up to me I wouldhave the primitive season only include muzzleloaders with percussion, flint, wheellock, and matchlock ignitions (and IMO percussion would be stretching it).
I have nothing against those of you who have and use in-lines. Adn if they are legal in your state, great. As long as its a ML. Scopes - I don't care for states allowing them. But a metallic cartridge loaded with black powder and calling it primitive - I don't think so.
There is no reason you could not use your 1874 Sharps or a .45-70 trapdoor or similar during regular rifle season. IMO the reason people won't is that they feel 'handicapped' and don't want to miss an opportunity to make that kill. To them, that is the most important thing.
I've taken plenty of game, both big and small that I really don't care if I get anything. Now I won't pass up an opportunity - if if I don't get a shot - so be it. I just enjoy being out there.
OK - time to get off my soapbox. Got that off my chest.

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

Yes they where.

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

I think most likely they are using this as another method to control overpopulation of deer in the state. Many of the eastern and southern states have overpopulation and the Fish and Game are using these kinds of methods to reduce it. Unfortunately out west where we still have overpopulation of Coyotes and Wolves (recently reintroduced) the game population is not a problem. The problem is getting drawn for something to hunt. This is my third year without any chance to hunt. Personally at 70 years of age I prefer to use a scope even though I limit my shots to 100 yards. I just cannot get a clear picture with iron sights anymore so the scope is almost a necessity for me. Arizona calls ours a muzzleloading season and everything that loads from the muzzle is legal except for more than one barrel and smokeless powder. Any sight you want is OK. When I can get drawn that at least allows me to hunt and make clean kills.

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

I wasn't talking about inline exposed hammers. I was talking about the modern inline ML. Big difference. And while we are at it, inline exposed hammers were few and far between. If I am not mistaken, I don't think any were made in this country. I may be wrong.

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

Exactly!

They did the same for Mississippi primitive. Went from muzzies and added the same breech loader stuff a couple of years ago. Just to help control the deer population.

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

It would be hard to argue that a Sharps is not superior to a modern inline ML -- especially if you scope it. It you are remotely adept you can reload any single shot rifle in just a few seconds. Any muzzleloader, whether you use pellets, smokeless, etc takes far longer due to the need to ram the projectile. Indeed, the good ol' musket reloads faster than a modern inline.

Design date is a poor identifier for what is primitive. MLs were designed before compound bows, does that make them more primitive and reduce their killing range/power?

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

if you want to control the deer population, add more seasons and up the bag limit and you'll add more money to the state.

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

I hear that didn't work so well for PA.........

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

Well its getting a bit off the subject but yeah - that's what happened in PA. The PGC won't admit they screwed up. But they slaughtered the deer herd in many parts of the state. In a few of my favorite haunts its tough to find a track let alone see a deer. But the PGC says the population is 'almost' where they want it. I assume that means eliminating the herd completely in some areas.

RE: The Death of a Muzzle Loading Season
 

"Inlines were not made prior to 1900." Not true, inlines have been around a very long time. If you were to say that almost all inlines and about 99% of sidelock muzzleloaders in use today were not made prior to 1900 - that would surelybe true.

The clubthose big shots in Mississippi belong to must have members in Louisiana.