PA regulation changes to be considered

[zimmerstutzen]

Been near 20 years, but I heard that White himself came to PA to wine and dine folks and lobby for in-lines to be approved for hunting in PA. When I was in college, Compounds were not legal and the companies descended on the Commission big time for approval. Next came mechanical releases. And just a few years ago, cross bows. Now Air bows for the truly lazy.

Years ago, I put an April 1st ad on a hunting site for laser guided arrows with heat seeking tips and equipped with lowjack locating devices for $39.99 each. And guys who tried to order got really angry at me. Also got an email from a deputy WCO about how they would be illegal in PA.

 

[Ames]

:haha: :rotf: :haha: :haha: :haha: :rotf: :haha:

 

[Darkgael]

I can only hope these do not become legal. The thrill of harvesting a deer w/flintlock will never get old for me and is not all that difficult to accomplish, once you've learned the fine art of maintaining these firearms.

True enough about the feeling..etc.
How would that change if inlines were allowed?

 

[faste350]

the influx of hunters would sky rocket if IL's were included and they would have to shorten the season. FO would have to be worn as well, changing the whole meaning of the season. IL's are an easy way out for those who will not put in the time to learn how to shoot a FL. they have a week in October and 2 weeks in November to get it done with their IL.

 

[BigBoreBLR]

Any update.

Far as interpreting the pre-1800 thing.

The vast majority of us did not starting shooting muzzleloaders on customs guns. Most of the brass and german silver laiden guns many drool over are a bit past 1800 period anyways.

I do really enjoy the extra 20 or 30 minutes of shootable conditions a peep sight offers.....

Is it legal to bring 2 muzzleloaders in the woods with you in PA?

 

[faste350]

no changes that I am aware of this year, thank goodness! more than one gun is not a problem to my knowledge. some of us chose to carry a rifle and a pistol, both must be single shot flintlock and the pistol must be .50 cal or larger. back in the day, it was t/c's, cva's, lyman's ect. wood stocks with brass or steel hardware. now we have plastic stocks, s.s. barrels, fiber optic sights ect., ect. they in no way resemble a traditional m/l other than they have a frizzen and a hammer and they shoot pellet powder with plastic wrapped copper plated bullets. just not my cup of tea and not what the season was intended to be.

 

[PA16th]

Asked: How many flintlocks could I carry hunting?

Answer from Game Commission was, as many as I wanted.

 

[nhmoose]

Or what you can!!!

 

[Carl Fowler III]

Personally I would like to see percussion muzzleloaders allowed in the late season here in Pennsylvania!
Also would like to see the late deer season extended to the end of January!

 

[excess650]

There is no reason that you can't use your percussion gun the 1st 2 weeks after Thanksgiving. I've carried my flintlock in those weeks.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

It is supposed to be flintlock season, not sneak in anything you can season. If percussion is let in, all the in-lines will be swept in with them. I have a few unmentionables and they can all be fired with no 11 percussion caps. You want to carry that rifle in the late season, convert it to flint. We flintlock folks fought too long and hard for a few days to celebrate Pennsylvania's heritage and connection to the long rifle. I am not about to turn it into an easy button free for all. I don't complain that I can't use my flintlock for archery season. If I want to go out in archery season, I get a bow and some arrows, that is how it works.

 

[nhmoose]

Talk about a need for a challenge by a good attorney as much as I hate lawyers and yes, some lawyers are friends and they feel the same way!

bureaucrats are morons.

 

[Grumpa]

Amen, Brother! Flintlock only, in the late season. All the other stuff can be used in the early muzzleloader season in October, or in the regular firearms season.

Richard/Grumpa

 

[apachesx2]

I, 3rd the motion and believe flintlock season in PA in the early 70's was a major factor for the seasons we have today across the country and laid the foundation to todays modern muzzleloader... It wasn't the only reason or state, but one of the very very few flintlock only and really gave even more credibility to the general public and even to the use of percussion locks... The general public often look at the percussion rifle part modern part primitive... Not necessary justified...

Bottom line we all benefit from our roots here in the states and find it refreshing...

 

[excess650]

I DO wish that we could use our flintlocks in archery season in that they allow crossbows with scopes. Rather than get myself riled up over that, I just (flintlock) hunt my property in Virginia when that MLer season comes in around the beginning of November. Further, I've not carried a rifle other than MLer there regardless of gun season vs MLer season (2 months).

 

[amcmullen]

Personally I would like to see percussion muzzleloaders allowed in the late season here in Pennsylvania!
Also would like to see the late deer season extended to the end of January!

They are allowed, and the season does go to the end of January...you just have to hunt in a special regs county!

Seriously, I agree with you, statewide

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

I depise all of the in-line stuff. Like most, I got into muzzleloading because I wanted to learn about the old ways, and idiosyncrasies that come with it. What irritates me about allowing all of the in-line, stainless steel, breech-loading, composite stock, electric ignition, smokeless powder, and optical sight stuff here in Virginia is now the black powder season is just as crazy as regular rifle season. The woods are full of guys who go to Bass Pro and buy an in-line just to get a two week head start or addition to the regular season. They have no interest in history or studying the old ways. Yeah I get it, its legal. I also hear the argument that it keeps our sport viable. B.S. I say. Primitive should be primitive.

 

[Sidney Smith]

3. This one is confusing. For small game the regulation states a muzzleloader rifle or pistol 40 caliber and under. But a few sentences later, it Prohibits the use of any single projectile ammunition over 22 caliber when hunting small game.

The above statement is wrong.

The regulation reads; .22 caliber or less when using modern manually operated or semi-automatic rifles. It then goes on to mention further down that muzzle loading rifles of .40 caliber and less are legal to use for small game.

 

[Barkiller]

I totally understand how you feel. I've been shooting a muzzleloader for almost 45 years here in Louisiana. We petition the state for a season many years ago and got a three-day weekend only. Then they opened it to in lines with scopes. Now they call it primitive weapons season. Any single-shot rifle 35 caliber or bigger is considered primitive. Any type of optics on it is good. The big thing here is the 35 whelen. And here I am with my Buffalo powder Horn 30 year old possible's bag and patched round balls. like you said primitive weapon season here is just as crazy as regular season! I I love the history more so than the actual kill and I have ruined that for our season.

I depise all of the in-line stuff. Like most, I got into muzzleloading because I wanted to learn about the old ways, and idiosyncrasies that come with it. What irritates me about allowing all of the in-line, stainless steel, breech-loading, composite stock, electric ignition, smokeless powder, and optical sight stuff here in Virginia is now the black powder season is just as crazy as regular rifle season. The woods are full of guys who go to Bass Pro and buy an in-line just to get a two week head start or addition to the regular season. They have no interest in history or studying the old ways. Yeah I get it, its legal. I also hear the argument that it keeps our sport viable. B.S. I say. Primitive should be primitive.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

The above statement is wrong.

The regulation reads; .22 caliber or less when using modern manually operated or semi-automatic rifles. It then goes on to mention further down that muzzle loading rifles of .40 caliber and less are legal to use for small game.

Actually Mr. Smith, you should read the regulation. It does not read as you pretend or misrepresent.

§ 141.22. Small game seasons.
(a) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt small game, except woodchucks, during any small game season with the following devices:


(3) A muzzleloading rifle or handgun. The firearm must be .40 caliber or less, that propels single-projectile ammunition.

(4) A bow and arrow.

(5)

(b) Prohibitions. While hunting small game during any small game season, except woodchucks, it is unlawful to:

(1) Use or possess single-projectile ammunition larger than .22 caliber or multiple-projectile shotgun ammunition larger than # 4 lead, # 2 steel, or # 4 of any other composition or alloy of nontoxic shot approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or an authorized representative under 50 CFR 20.134, except as authorized under section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm for protection of self or others).


You really need to read the law and actual regulations, not the comic book the Commission puts out. It says right in the comic book that it is not the law.