New Arkansas Reg: “Alternative weapons”

The woods just got a lot more crowded. New for 2024 deer season:

“Arkansas hunters will now be able to use non-semiautomatic firearms that shoot straight-wall metallic cartridges of .30 caliber or larger during Arkansas's muzzleloader season.”

Womp womp.

Isn't it called "muzzleloader season"? How does that work?

Songwriter said:

Isn't it called "muzzleloader season"? How does that work?

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Eh, it’s no longer Muzzleloader season. It still retains the early dates, but is now called “Alternative Weapons” season.

DUMB DUMB DUMB.

From the AGFC website:

New This Season​

• Non-semiautomatic centerfire firearms (including handguns with barrels 4 inches or longer) that fire a straight-wall cartridge .30 caliber or larger and Big Bore Air Rifles are now allowed during Alternative Firearms seasons (formerly termed muzzleloader season). Lever-action rifles, single-shot rifles, pump-action rifles and bolt-action rifles (including semiautomatic rifles that have been converted to bolt-action) are allowed. Note that shotguns with slugs are not allowed during alternative firearms season. Also, 30-30 cartridges with shoulder are not allowed.

It’s all about selling more licenses for the revenue. Maybe secondarily to reduce the deer herd if that’s an issue. Unfortunately, us traditional muzzerloaders don’t make up a large enough percentage of the hunting population to matter much in most states.

Dusty_Traveler said:

Eh, it’s no longer Muzzleloader season. It still retains the early dates, but is now called “Alternative Weapons” season.

DUMB DUMB DUMB.

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Pity, originally I, and other true ml enthusiasts, enjoyed a quiet hunting season. My first Arkansas deer was taken with my flinter.

So basically they just extended what would be considered modern gun? So stupid!

The Writing is on the Wall. Mo. has had the Alternative season for about 10 years. We don't have all that Ar. now has allowed. It was all our Pistol & Revolver Hunters wanted in on the quiet season. For me it's not a bother as i hunt all my gun seasons with my ML's anyway.

Loja man said:

So basically they just extended what would be considered modern gun? So stupid!

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These were my thoughts, too.

That's a shame! I love all types of broomsticks, but to say my Ruger No. 1 or Remington 788 is the same as a muzzleloader is unsporting.

As stated above MO did that several years ago. I did not like it then and don't like it now. It is about the $$ not the quality of the hunt. They say they want to give more opportunities but opportunities boils down to people = $$.
I would like to see Flint/percussion only. No inline. but that is just me.

I wish MD would make it's primitive season the first week in November, not February.

My guess is that there are too many deer, and they want to lower the population. I'm all for that. The type of firearm doesn't matter to me.

Once I saw in-lines added I figured things were headed down hill for the ML season!

So in Arkansas, do you have to buy another tag to hunt the muzzleloading season? Most places I’ve hunted east of the Rockies, which isn’t very many, you buy your standard hunting license. This lets you hunt bow or any kind of firearm. Then you buy a tag which is acceptable to use for bow or any kind of fire.
If that’s the case, I don’t see how making an alternative weapons season really sells anymore hunting licenses or tags…. Really what I have seen is if they want more deer killed and more money they need to just allow you to harvest more deer in a given year by selling more tags….. but on the totem pole of importance people I’m a grain of dirt about 3 feet in the ground.

A few years ago, Illinois allowed single shot straight wall cartridges during regular season, however we retained our seperate muzzleloader season. One thing they done correctly in my opinion.

Loja man said:

So in Arkansas, do you have to buy another tag to hunt the muzzleloading season? Most places I’ve hunted east of the Rockies, which isn’t very many, you buy your standard hunting license. This lets you hunt bow or any kind of firearm. Then you buy a tag which is acceptable to use for bow or any kind of fire.
If that’s the case, I don’t see how making an alternative weapons season really sells anymore hunting licenses or tags…. Really what I have seen is if they want more deer killed and more money they need to just allow you to harvest more deer in a given year by selling more tags….. but on the totem pole of importance people I’m a grain of dirt about 3 feet in the ground.

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Arkansas includes the "tags" in the license. For residents Arkansas is probably one of the best states regarding economy of hunting/fishing licenses. The regular hunting license is just over $25 and has 6 deer, a couple turkey, and a bear with an optional free tag/endorsement. You can hunt all seasons with this license. Pretty good deal compared to other states.

I am not a fan of the new "alternative weapons" season but understand that with inline technology advances the "muzzleloader" restrictions are less handicapping than ever. I'm sure hunter numbers are declining and Arkansas has a CWD problem in the north. I guess we'll see how it goes.

We have a real problem before deer season in WV. Farmers get unlimited tags and have a bunch of jerks shoot off the deer. Bad part is they also leave the farms and enter private properties. Some years we have trouble finding any deer. I complained to deaf ears as the state does not want to pay deer damage.

Never underestimate the stupidity of bureaucrats.

Things have changed in Arkansas since I was an adolescent/teenager in the 60's. Back then there were two one week, bucks only seasons and a kids three day, any deer, season at Thanksgiving. Pursuit with dogs was allowed in about half the state. Tree stands, box blinds and food plots were unheard of, and public (free) land was plentiful. Very few hunters were successful. I knew men, ardent deer hunters, who went years without bagging a deer. The game regulations for all hunting and fishing were in a tiny booklet. I saw old men hunting with ancient lever actions that began life shooting straight wall BP cartridges. Archery lasted forever but few pursued it lest they miss out on squirrel and rabbit hunting.