Me neither and I went through every state and could not find any that allow other than a muzzleloader during that special season in their state.

My understanding is that Mississippi is one of those states, actually.

Sure enough:
https://www.mdwfp.com/law-enforcemen...ules-regs.aspx
"Weapons legal for use during the Primitive Weapons season are all archery equipment and primitive firearms."Primitive firearms," for the purpose of hunting deer, are defined as single or double-barreled muzzleloading rifles of at least .38 caliber; OR single shot, breech loading, metallic cartridge rifles (.35 caliber or larger) and replicas, reproductions, or reproductions of those type rifles with an exposed hammer; OR single or double-barreled muzzleloading shotguns, with single ball or slug."

That's what I was talking about earlier younggun. Primitive weapons, not specifically MLer season. There are a couple of states coming out with that season within the last 5 or so years. It's one I would really enjoy taking my old sharps out on.

Ya'll are saying the same thing, just using different words.... Some states have a primitive weapons season, which is not a true muzzleloader season........ In ohio they've recently allowed straight walled rifles to be used instead of just slugs.... 90% of hunter still refer to it as "shotgun season" or "slug season" even though it encompasses more than that....
-Jake

Why not switch to BH209 powder in your Optima if you want "less dirty"?

Certainly you did mention that, the only thing I was adding was that Mississippi at least does allow the use of smokeless, modern rifles (not just BP) as long as they're single-shot breech-loaders. You could use your old Sharps, or a T/C Encore.

Its still dirtier than a rifle and less fps and energy than a rifle

Actually, your cva is a rifle and muzzle loading rifles have been putting venison on the table for centuries. Your season is what it is, just like the rest of us have to comply with the seasons in our states. We all have the option, comply with the regulations or pass on the season.

Cleans up a lot easier than the other muzzleloader propellants and has more energy than a .30-30 for one example.