What do you guys think of the news laws a few states have started implementing regarding the use of "Primitive" weapons? In LA it is now legal to shoot a wide selections of single shot rifles of 38cal or larger.

My question is, How primitive are these rifles?

I wouldn't consider modern inlines primitive weapons but at least they shoot blackpowder or BP substitutes.. I think the distinction should be made based on the powder used and the loading and firing components. If it uses smokeless powder I wouldn't consider it a primitive weapon ( no I'm not a Savage fan) If anything it seems like the modern muzzleloaders are getting awful close to being classified as modern single shot rifles rather than blackpowder rifles. The CVA Electra for example. I would consider my Lyman round ball caplock a primitive gun but not any of my inlines . Just my opinion.

The idea of Primitive Weapons have many directions of thought.

I honestly can not see how States could list a single shot rifle as primitive. Is a Ruger #1 primitive. Or a Single shot 45/70 H&R. I would not say so. But what you need to keep in mind is, a lot of these States allow these other rifles to get more people into the hunting field. This is often done to control deer populations. So I think the State has to look at the needs of the herd management and the will of the people.

SPOT ON. I could see reason for many Western states to be more restricitive, and many Eastern states to open it up. For example, southern Michigan has a herd so out of control in many places that no amount of weapons allowances can draw enough hunters to kill the herd back under control. Now they're trying September antlerless seasons with open allowances. (Maybe they'll wise up and try the Wisconsin earn-a-buck model, as the refusal of most hunters to shoot does is a root of the problem).

Views on primitive weapons also differ regionally. No reason that the regs in say Wyoming should be the same as Louisiana etc.

Side hammers are primitive weapons. They were all there was when ML seasons were first put in place. If the herd needs thinning extend the regular rifle season a bit. Acouple of extra days should be enough.

You're right about that Spaniel, and it's a mindset I just never understood. Sure, a buck makes my heart go THUMPETY THUMP and adoe makes it go thumpety thump - but it's still a thrill and I do love the meat from a young doe. If you've got a group of hunters just have everyone puttwenty dollars in a pool for the heaviest doe killed and see how interesting doe hunting can get.

A word of caution about shooting does.. Our State claimed (and still does) that the does were too thick. They gave out a ton of doe tags for years. Some shot what they needed. While other good little Wisconsin hunters slaughtered the herds. Some people shot a lot more then they could ever use, and I am sure a lot of it went to waste if you would have seen the pictures of the local dumps, full of deer carcases.

Now in the area I am, many are not even going to purchase a license this year. Why?? There are no deer around. Between the slaughter of the local herds and the timber wolves, they are about dried up in many areas. In the southern end of the State, we have Chronic Waste Disease so that will take the herd out there.

Gearheart, while I understand your position. In the States opinion, why not hook people for two license fees. Or extend the season for all aspects of hunting and that way, we get more hunters in the woods and more hunters dollars in the States pockets.

I love the Primitive Weapons argument. I am glad my state calls it muzzle loading season.
Some define a Primitive Weapon as a sharp stick, a stone attached to a stick and look down their nose at people with a gun of any type.

Lots of things could be done to reduce the deer herd here in Michigan. First suspend the sale of a permit to shoot a buck over the counter. My area in the UPPER has a 3 point rule now but no doe permits are issued. Sell only ( two toa hunter)doe tags over the counter. Make it a drawing to get a buck tag and keep that number of buck tags low so they grow.

Al

Guys, No disrespect was intended and I don't really have my head up my butt very far. I just find the use of the term "primitive" to be amusing. Even archery has advanced technically to the point where it can hardly be called primitive anymore. I agree that we needto thin the herds. We have in excess of 500 deer/vehicle accidents per year in our county alone. Selling multiple tags would be another solution. The idea of an increase in hunter numbers in the bush is a scary thought. The bush lots here in southern Ontario are small and there is a lot of housing. Obviously management requirements vary from region to region and a tailor made solution is best.Maybe they should call it the single shot rifle season. Again no offence intended.
Gerard

Compound Bows and cartridge guns are modern weapons . Lee