A couple of questions:

First; If the state you hunt in was to pass a law that allowed traditional - side hammer, cap-lock or flint-lock - muzzle loaders only, would you inline shooters switch or give up the hunt all together?

And on the flip side; If your state was to pass a law that illegalized hunting with anything but a modern in-line (during the muzzle loader season) what would you tradional shooters do?

Boy! Now that I've asked the question I find it a tough one to answer. I shoot a traditional Hawkin style cap-lock and I'm not too sure I could force myself out into the woods with anything else. But if faced with no deer hunting I probably could bring myself to do it. Wouldn't be the same though.

i read that if our fore fathers had inlines they would have used them so i think i could switch to an inline in hunting tasty critters.

I have both sidelocks and in-lines so it would make no difference... I am going hunting..

i dont know....i love my flintlock....and probally going to a caplock y next year jsut for more reliable ignition so i can have confidance in regular rifle season with it...but an inline....i dont know......id probally just quit and take the mauser out....assuming i still had rifle season....if not id switch.....i love deer hunting too much to cry about waht gun i can use.......but if my state ever goes from flintlock only to any muzzleloader im staying with the flint or caplock.....

It's a no brainer. Hunt with what's legal. The weapon I use does not matter that much to me. I've taken deer with flintlocks and caplocks. I just like to get out in the woods.

I don't think that the animal you are hunting and shot could give a rats behind what that lead slug was fired from. It probably don't like it much either way.

If we had to use side locks then the manufactureres would just make more short barreled, fast twist, magnum side locks and if we were forced to use inlines then the manufacturers would likley make long barreled slow twist rifles inlines.