I'm very sorry folks. I really like all of you and certainly wish no offense.
eace:
Loophole:
I hunt with an Inline for the same reasons as why I also hunt with caplocks and just bought a flintlock. I enjoy all muzzleloading weapons. Some years I only hunt the firearm seasons with caplocks. Other years I'll hunt with everything or a combination thereof. I killed my first deer many moons ago with 50 cal T/C Hawken and PRB.
I also hunt with and shoot centerfire shotguns, rifles and pistols. I enjoy them very much as well.
This year I only hunted small game with caplock rifles. Last year was with a Benelli SBE.
I stand humbly corrected that bows are allowed throughout the firearms seasons in Michigan. Just that you cannot carry both a field, one or the other.
But firearms are not allowed during the bow seasons in Michigan.
The laws in Michigan regarding muzzleloaders says nothing about being "Traditional". And in case no one has been paying attention, traditionally styled muzzleloader sales are not even close to that of modern inline styles and have been behind for many years. So don't you think all of these Inline shooters are going to (and have a right to) have their say? Or perhaps we all just think they will say "Oh, you are right, my ML is really not an ML and it's ok with me if we exclude it during ML season".
So if we put the present Michigan ML season as well as other states to a vote (Which in a democracy, would only be fair) for "traditionally styled ML's Only", I can almost guarantee what will happen. This idea might pass but I think it will loose, loose huge and continue to do so.
The muzzleloading seasons in Michigan and many other states were not established for folks to be "traditional". They were established because of the nature of the weapon as being single shot in nature and hand loaded a field=muzzleloader. When the rule was established, only traditional styled ML's were available, yet the rule mentions nothing about having to act traditional. :hmm:
I wonder why?
So the only way to establish a traditionally styled seasons is to approach the issue based on function and implementation not style and designate specialized windows for use. As in primitive flintlock or earlier for a particular season. This would exclude based on function, without discrimination. I think the caplock and the caplock or primered ignition inline are too close in function to legally be so different as to exclude one or the other. Many folks disagree here in this forum, which is perfectly ok with me.
The idea excluding the inline designs just because the now growing minority just does not want them a field I just don't think is going to fly. I'm not champion for the inline, but I'm also not bashing them either. Modern ML's are a reality folks and they are a hand loaded from the muzzle firearm, or at least the last time I shot one they were.
I'm trying to look at what is the likely opportunity for everyone a field to feel included and yet not alienated.
Just how do you think that we can gain more folks to get into traditionally styled rifles? By telling the vast number of inline shooters that their inline is no longer a muzzleloader during ML season, that they can only use their rifle during centerfire seasons? You can try, but I won't take that bet here in Michigan or many other states.
Just a view on this issue. I'm not trying to convert anyone here. I support primitive seasons, but not at the cost of and alienation of other muzzleloader shooters. These shooters have their rights adn opportunities as well. At least they should here in the USA. And if not here then where?
eace:
