Tennessee says you can. Georgia says you can't.
Scopes on muzzleloaders are taboo in the Peach State. "The primitive weapons deer season is a back-to-the-basics type of hunt," said Georgia Wildlife Chief of Game Management Todd Holbrook. "Telescopic sights, whether or not they magnify the image, sights with lenses, laser sights, sights with "red dot" reticles, sights illuminated by laser light, sights requiring battery power and other modern sighting devices are not allowed."
Georgia isn't alone. A little Internet research tells me that at least 12 states do not allow scopes on muzzleloading rifles. Four other states only allow allow scopes that are 1X or non-magnifying.
I've been muzzleloading for several years now, and I've gone both ways (with my muzzleloader, that is). After a year or two without the scope, I came to miss the ability to get a clearer view of my target. I love how scopes can help thread a bullet through a hole in the underbrush, and help insure a good shot and a clean kill. I was dismayed when I couldn't make it work.
I can only guess it was a faulty scope mount, but I found it impossible to shoot consistent groups with my scope-equipped Hawken. Buffalo bullets sprayed across the target like shotgun pellets. It was a frustrating ordeal and I could not trust my gun. The scope came off.
I miss the capabilities of a scope, but the iron sights are more reliable.
But that's not the cause of controversy. The question is when does a primitive weapon cease to become primitive?
Few can argue that modern-day compound bows are far from primitive. And today's inline firearms will shoot circles around the flintlocks of our forefathers. But those states that have outlawed scopes on muzzleloaders have decided that's the line you can't cross.
The state of Oregon did extensive research on the issue. They sent a survey to 12,500 muzzleloader hunters in late September 1999. Thirty-eight percent of the questionnaires were completed and returned.
Seventy-nine percent of those who replied said that scopes should be illegal during muzzleloader-only hunts. They also opposed fiber-optic sights by a margin of more than 2-1.
Some people argue that older folks like scopes more because their eyes aren't as good. The Oregon survey diputes that. Over 85% of the respondents from 51 to 65 opposed the use of scopes and over 77% of those 66 years old and older opposed the use of scopes.
I can't argue the "tradition" of iron sights on muzzleloaders. But one issue bothers me. Hunter education courses preach to young and old alike about accuracy and humane kills.
Aren't we being a bit hypocritical if we deprive hunters of the ability to be more accurate and more humane?
Georgia hasn't done the research that Oregon did, but if the numbers hold true, the majority of folks are proud of the Peach State ban on muzzleloading scopes. Let's find out. Please submit your vote below.
Martin H. writes: You raised some good points. I've heard the argument over compound bows, and it is a good argument, I think what happened is that was the first "primitive" season that got inundated with modern (compound) weapons, and it's my feeling that everyone just accepted it. Also, with a traditional bow, it takes almost daily practice to be proficient with, and with compounds, you can be more accurate to humanely take animals. I
think it would be neat to take game with a traditional bow, but I have too many friends who are very good with a traditional bow, but still wound too many animals (in my viewpoint), just because the pinpoint accuracy is not there and the power is not comparable to a compound. Also, I don't feel that your range is greatly increased "overall" with a compound, I still limit my shots to 25-30 yards, and I think that's what most traditional shooters who practice alot feel comfortable with.
I don't think this is totally comparable to muzzleloaders, I agree that a scope can help you find holes in the brush, but a typical muzzleloader is good for 75 yards, good range for iron or scope sights. The power of the weapon is still the same. I think scopes help folks to try and shoot farther than the weapon is consistently capable of both in accuracy and game-taking power. To answer your point about hunter safety classes teaching that game should be taken as humanely as possible, they also teach that a good hunter should stalk game to within the practical range of the weapon. Also, I'm sort of saddened that so much focus is on taking the animal, yes, I love to be successful, but my hunt is not ruined if I don't get close enough and pass up a marginal shot, there is a lot of other enjoyment I get out of hunting. I hope that message is being clearly conveyed in hunter safety classes. I wish TN muzzleloading season was restricted to iron-sighted, non-inline rifles.
Colorado has a rule that you cannot use scopes or sabot projectiles, has to be patched roundballs or conical lead bullets. They tried to outlaw inlines last year and I applauded it, but they succumbed to the pressure and made inlines legal once again. I guess there are no clear lines in all of this, probably comes down to a lot of personal opinions, I do enjoy archery hunting and use a compound, but I enjoy the "primitiveness" of muzzleloader season without inlines, scopes, etc. Well, you see it is something I feel strongly about, I've probably worn you out, but if you can cast my vote, I would be
grateful, and look forward to see how your pole comes out.
Here is my basic outlook on seasons/lethal ranges
archery compound/traditional 30 yds max
muzzleloader 75 yds
rifle 200 yds
all the above, the closer the better!
The Geor