Texas Muzzleloader Regs

[Ironwood]

Muzzleloader: Any firearm that is loaded only through the muzzle. Note: A cap and ball firearm in which the powder and ball are loaded into a cylinder is not a muzzleloader. Muzzleloader deer seasons are restricted to muzzleloading firearms only.

That's it. Muzzleloaders may be used during the regular gun season that goes from about the 1st. of November until after the 1st. of January. Some State draw hunts require muzzleloaders to be at least .45 caliber.

Our muzzleloader season is a very sort one. Eight days in the middle of January. The bag is doe and spikes only. However the doe deer have recovered from nursing the fawns and have put on a little fat. Very good eating.

 

[Snakebite]

Ironwood,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but for normal deer hunting, not a state santioned hunt, but hunting on a lease or your own property, I read tht any caliber muzzleloader is legal.

"Game animals and game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT:
-white-tailed deer, mule deer, destert bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope may NOT be hunted with rimfire ammunition of any caliber."

Is that the way you understand it too?

Chris

 

[Robert58]

I cannot find any requirement for a minumum caliber for a Muzzleloader for any legal game animal.

If I hunt this year it will be in the LBJ National Grasslands, in Wise County, where you can only hunt Deer with Archery Equipment, Shotgun or Muzzleloader. No minimum caliber requirement, there either.

Robert

 

[pepperbelly]

Robert, hello! I grew up in Watauga and we spent a lot of time hunting and fishing at the Grasslands- back in the '60s and '70s. I haven't been back out there since the late '70s and people tell me it has changed a lot.
If you don't mind let me know what it's like there now, and if you see much game- deer and others.
Are we allowed to hunt with a muzzleloader for game other than deer? Can we just go plinking when nothing is is season?
Do any other local muzzleloaders go out there for meets and shoots?
I'm in the Saginaw area now- haven't gone far in 30 years have I? :grin:

What do you shoot?

Jim

 

[Robert58]

Jim,

I havn't been up there this year. A friend that I work with said that he sees deer every time he goes up there Duck hunting. As far as I know from the reg's I have you can hunt anything with a muzzleloader. I don't know what you could use back in the 60's and 70's but now you can only use Archery equipment, Shotguns or Muzzleloaders.

I have a T/C Hawken 50 cal.Percussion rifle.

Robert

 

[pepperbelly]

Hmmm, Robert, I also have a .50 TC Hawken.

Back in the '60s and '70s it was anything goes. I understand why that changed- several deer hunters were shot by accident because it got so crowded.
A friend of mine, a few years ago, got a nice buck with a shotgun/slug. He was taking a break leaning against a tree. The buck walked up on him and was so close he couldn't raise the shotgun to his shoulder. He had it cradled in his arms and just lifted the left elbow and pulled the trigger. he said that at 15 feet he couldn't miss.

Maybe if I get a chance to go up there, during or after deer season, we could have an informal muzzleloader shoot. There may be other local shooters that might make the trip too.
We could have our own rondy, being pc with TC Hawkens, Uberto 1860 revolvers and wearing jeans- just like the mountain men did! :wink:

Jim

 

[Robert58]

Jim,

Have you thought of joining a pre-1840 Black Powder Club? I belong to the Aurora Black Powder Club, off of hywy 114, between Aurora and Rhome. Our monthly club shoot is tomorrow. Email me if you would like to come with me. We will also have a Thanksgiving feast at noon. Will need to be at the Club around 11:15, to be through shooting by noon for dinner.

Robert

 

[pepperbelly]

I would love to join a bp club near here. My TC Hawken isn't really pre 1840 though.
I just read this post and it's too late to meet today. We had a softball tournement in Euless today and just got home.

Jim

 

[Robert58]

You nissed a heck of a feast. We had just about everything you could imagine. Including some desserts I have never seen before.

Just about anything that is percussion or flintlock with a wood stock is ok with us.

We have our Club Shoot on the third Sunday of the month. Next Shoot is December 16th. And we will be having Christmas Dinner that Sunday also.

Let me know if you can make it and I will tell you how to get there.

Robert

 

[pepperbelly]

I'll try and make it. My falling plate match is the third Saturday of each month at the Haltom City Rifle and Pistol Club, and that close to Christmas might be tough.
I'm in the Saginaw area so I'm not too far from ya'll.
If I can't meet up with you in December I will probably be able to in January- providing my wife lets me shoot another match.

Jim

 

[John Wasmuth]

I asked a couple of the Game Wardens here in the Kerr County area, both of em were honest in stating, "well, we aint sure". I've looked via the internet at the TXPW codes, and can't find a minimum caliber for Ml anywhere. I think I'll just stick with the .45 and 50's, save the .32 fer smaller critters. Hope everyone has a great season.