Because if it's not done now, where will it be in 10 years at the pace technology is going?
Because it's no secret the muzzleloader capabilities have quadrupled over the last decade.
The rifle hunts have been and always will be the longest range weapons of the three, and success rates higher for obvious reasons.
"I" am not the Committee, i take one seat of 20 and have one vote.
The WB are the ones who asked for a technology committee to be organized, i was just asked to be part of it.
We are not policemen or politicians, our job is to make "recommendations" for the WB to work off of, they have final say.
There is a desperate need to limit and govern emerging technologies and it should have been implemented a decade ago.
Anyone who doesn't understand this has their head in the sand and can't see that a line needs to be drawn.
Again, the ALW hunts will always dominate success rates regardless of restrictions.
Make it a scopeless lever action only hunt and it will still be the highest.
Rifle scope technologies are taking a hit here as well before everyone has a Burris Eliminator type of optic riding on top of their rifles and muzzleloaders with successrates so high that opportunityis lost.
As I have stated numerous times over the last few months, the Lapua I USED to hunt with has taken 2 muley bucks and one bear, all 3 of which were 100 yds or less.
I am not a "long range" killer just because wiffy says I am ?
So you ARE admitting muzzies do benefit from variable power scopes?
Archers miss August bucks so they can be shot at in September, no??
It's been explained why for several reasons.
Why do so many surrounding states have muzzleloader restrictions?
The point YOU are missing is the key words "Emerging Technology"
A muzzleloader was once a 100 yard weapon until inlines "emerged", then they instantly became 200.
Then more technology "emerged" in components, powders, projectiles, ignition systems, etc, etc.
Remove or limit scopes, advanced components are completely unnecessary and effectiveness crippled.
Why?
As the interest in killing trophy game has exploded, technology grows to help us become more successful, especially as trophy quality drops along the way.
Snowball affect.
Question to you now.
"Why do you feel your muzzleloader needs to be able to keep up to the rifles?"
What was your initial reasoning for muzzleloader hunting to begin with?
Less spooky deer?
Bucks are still grouped up?
Less people?
Better weather?
All that couples up very nicely with a 400 yard "average" set up.
Bottom line-
Hunters complaining about the thoughts of removing variable scopes are doing it for one reason only.......because they know it cripples them "no matter how you spin it".
I am primarily a muzzleloader hunter in Utah.
I fully support restrictions on my scope to limit my current effective range.
If it ends up 4x or 1x, I will just have to hunt a little harder, and or hunt a little differently.
Carry on.......