Idaho may rethink muzzleloader ban
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho Fish and Game Commission may revisit its decision to ban the use of in-line muzzleloader rifles in some hunting seasons, after commissioners have been deluged with letters and phone calls from angry hunters.
Commissioner Alex Irby of Orofino said he will ask other commissioners if they wish to revisit their position at the commission's next meeting in March.
Last month, the commission approved regulations that effectively ban the use of almost all in-line muzzleloader rifles, modern versions of the traditional guns.
Muzzleloader users have vigorously protested the regulation change, starting a letter-writing campaign targeting commissioners, the department, legislators and the governor. They also are circulating a petition protesting the change.
Ed Rankin of Boise bought an in-line muzzleloader last fall. Now he says the gun is useless.
"I'll have myself a boat anchor," he said of the weapon.
He, like many others, argue in-line weapons shoot no farther and are no more accurate than traditional muzzleloaders that are still allowed. But the commission and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game feel otherwise.
The rule change was proposed and adopted because technological advances of the in-line guns improved performance so much that commissioners felt they could no longer justify use of in- lines during muzzleloader-only seasons. Those seasons take place late in the fall when most deer and elk are on winter ranges and slowed by deep snow.
In-line supporters also point to definitions used by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that call any weapon that is loaded through the barrel a muzzleloader. They think the department and commission should do the same. Those protesting the move say they could live with restrictions to bullets, barrels and powder that would limit the range of muzzleloaders.
Commissioner Tony McDermot of Sagle said he has received more than 200 letters and 75 phone calls from owners of in-line guns. But he said he is not swayed by their arguments and will resist any movements to alter the new regulations.
"If we thought we made a bad decision there is enough courage on our commission to turn that around," he said. "But I don't think it was a bad decision."
Participation in muzzleloader-only hunts has ballooned from about 3,000 hunters in the 1970s to more than 25,000 hunters today.
McDermot said because of the inflated numbers, the commission was faced with either reducing muzzleloader-only hunts or taking the actions it did.
Irby isn't so sure. He said he might be open to altering the rules to allow in-lines, while adopting strict powder and bullet regulations to ensure the weapons can't shoot long range.
One supporter of the new regulations, Gordon Hubbard of Lewiston, is a fan of traditional muzzleloaders such as those used by the frontiersmen.
"When you look at a muzzleloader I see it as a primitive weapon and every time you take a step toward modernizing them, they are just taking a step away from the primitive idea of muzzleloader hunting," Hubbard said.
The commission's next meeting is March 7-9 in Boise.
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho Fish and Game Commission may revisit its decision to ban the use of in-line muzzleloader rifles in some hunting seasons, after commissioners have been deluged with letters and phone calls from angry hunters.
Commissioner Alex Irby of Orofino said he will ask other commissioners if they wish to revisit their position at the commission's next meeting in March.
Last month, the commission approved regulations that effectively ban the use of almost all in-line muzzleloader rifles, modern versions of the traditional guns.
Muzzleloader users have vigorously protested the regulation change, starting a letter-writing campaign targeting commissioners, the department, legislators and the governor. They also are circulating a petition protesting the change.
Ed Rankin of Boise bought an in-line muzzleloader last fall. Now he says the gun is useless.
"I'll have myself a boat anchor," he said of the weapon.
He, like many others, argue in-line weapons shoot no farther and are no more accurate than traditional muzzleloaders that are still allowed. But the commission and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game feel otherwise.
The rule change was proposed and adopted because technological advances of the in-line guns improved performance so much that commissioners felt they could no longer justify use of in- lines during muzzleloader-only seasons. Those seasons take place late in the fall when most deer and elk are on winter ranges and slowed by deep snow.
In-line supporters also point to definitions used by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that call any weapon that is loaded through the barrel a muzzleloader. They think the department and commission should do the same. Those protesting the move say they could live with restrictions to bullets, barrels and powder that would limit the range of muzzleloaders.
Commissioner Tony McDermot of Sagle said he has received more than 200 letters and 75 phone calls from owners of in-line guns. But he said he is not swayed by their arguments and will resist any movements to alter the new regulations.
"If we thought we made a bad decision there is enough courage on our commission to turn that around," he said. "But I don't think it was a bad decision."
Participation in muzzleloader-only hunts has ballooned from about 3,000 hunters in the 1970s to more than 25,000 hunters today.
McDermot said because of the inflated numbers, the commission was faced with either reducing muzzleloader-only hunts or taking the actions it did.
Irby isn't so sure. He said he might be open to altering the rules to allow in-lines, while adopting strict powder and bullet regulations to ensure the weapons can't shoot long range.
One supporter of the new regulations, Gordon Hubbard of Lewiston, is a fan of traditional muzzleloaders such as those used by the frontiersmen.
"When you look at a muzzleloader I see it as a primitive weapon and every time you take a step toward modernizing them, they are just taking a step away from the primitive idea of muzzleloader hunting," Hubbard said.
The commission's next meeting is March 7-9 in Boise.
