Tony Dean, host and producer of "Tony Dean Outdoors," a regional television show that airs across the upper Midwest, published an article in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Argus Leader newspaper today. The following is the text of his article:
In-line muzzleloader ban
"A few years back, I took a new Austin Halleck in-line muzzleloader out of the box and promptly shot a 3-inch group at 100 yards. Not bad for a so-called "primitive" rifle, huh?
Meanwhile, Toby Bridges of the North American Muzzleloader Association has been waging a campaign to get states to allow the use of scope sights on muzzleloaders.
He maintains that regulations that do not allow the use of a scope sight discriminate against muzzleloader hunters over age 45, who have experienced some natural degeneration of eyesight. Golly, I've been in this group for a long time, and I've managed to kill deer with my muzzleloader, even though I use the open sights.
Anyway, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission made the use of scopes on muzzleloaders a moot point by banning in-line muzzleloaders during muzzleloader seasons. Some might view that as too radical, but I can remember when archers who shot traditional longbows and recurves worried about the future of archery with the introduction of compound bows.
I haven't archery hunted for a decade, but I recently decided to get back into the sport. After outfitting my bow with some trick new accessories, I concluded that the modern compound, equipped with all the goodies, is darned near as accurate as a rifle within 50 yards. You may not be able to stop technology, but at times, it's wise to apply the brakes."
Jan. 24, 2007 Argus Leader
In-line muzzleloader ban
"A few years back, I took a new Austin Halleck in-line muzzleloader out of the box and promptly shot a 3-inch group at 100 yards. Not bad for a so-called "primitive" rifle, huh?
Meanwhile, Toby Bridges of the North American Muzzleloader Association has been waging a campaign to get states to allow the use of scope sights on muzzleloaders.
He maintains that regulations that do not allow the use of a scope sight discriminate against muzzleloader hunters over age 45, who have experienced some natural degeneration of eyesight. Golly, I've been in this group for a long time, and I've managed to kill deer with my muzzleloader, even though I use the open sights.
Anyway, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission made the use of scopes on muzzleloaders a moot point by banning in-line muzzleloaders during muzzleloader seasons. Some might view that as too radical, but I can remember when archers who shot traditional longbows and recurves worried about the future of archery with the introduction of compound bows.
I haven't archery hunted for a decade, but I recently decided to get back into the sport. After outfitting my bow with some trick new accessories, I concluded that the modern compound, equipped with all the goodies, is darned near as accurate as a rifle within 50 yards. You may not be able to stop technology, but at times, it's wise to apply the brakes."
Jan. 24, 2007 Argus Leader
