Just returned from a Roosevelt Elk hunt in coastal Oregon.  Knight muzzle loading rifle.  Wind and rain made things interesting to say the least.   94 yards with a No Excuse 420 grain bullet.  Two days cutting and wrapping the meat.  Fine eating.  Filled the freezer to the door.  Will certainly have all I need for the winter.

Congratulations on your successful hunt!

Very nice elk Ken! I've contemplated a muzzleloader hunt here in Oregon, but never yet done one.

Have yet to put fiber optics on my long rifle. I am in the denial stage. 
The late flintlock season in Pennsylvania is coming up after Christmas. I'm hoping for snow this year, not the frozen slop of the past few years.

John

RBKenn wrote on Dec 19^th, 2022 at 6:05pm:


Oregon's decision in recent years to relax ML regulations has made hunting with a ML much more attractive. Previous "traditional only" rules made it a real challenge to do this hunt. Back when only traditional style rifles, and sights were allowed it made hunting in rainy November weather a real challenge. Not that it's easy now, but at least rifles are better to use now.

It is my understanding that the reason for a primitive "traditional" big game season, was to allow those to hunt with said rifles, without the woods being overrun by hunters with high powered rifles. Thus giving those hunters a more level playing field and enjoyment of a beautiful time of year to spend in the outdoors and enjoy their choice of firearm(an inch)and they will find a way to take (a mile). My definition of primitive does not include saboted bullets, primer ignition, bolt action breech loading, modern high power scopes and on and on. I believe that some of the blame rests with the game departments, as they see it as a way to sell more licences to bring in more revenue. That not being the original intent for their existence. Some still hunt with a traditional rifle, and I applaud them.

Here's the rules for Colorado ML:
2. MUZZLELOADING RIFLES & SMOOTHBORE MUSKETS
a. Only legal muzzleloaders allowed in muzzleloading seasons.
b. In-line muzzleloaders are legal.
c. Must be a single barrel that fires a single round ball or conical projectile.
d. To hunt deer, pronghorn or bear, conical bullets must be a minimum of .40
caliber, and round-ball bullets must be a minimum of .50 caliber.
e. To hunt elk or moose, conical bullets must be a minimum of .50 caliber, and
round-ball bullets must be a minimum of .54 caliber.
f. From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh a minimum of 170 grains.
g. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh a minimum of 210 grains.
h. Shotshell primers and B.O.R. Lock MZ System bullets are legal.
i. Pelletized powder systems are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons.
j. Cannot be loaded from the breech during muzzleloading seasons.
k. Only open or iron sights allowed in muzzleloading seasons. Fiber optics
and fluorescent paint incorporated into or on open or iron sights are legal.
Scopes or any sighting device using artificial light, batteries and electronic
gear are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons.
l. Sabots are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are not sabots.
m. Smokeless powder is prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black powder
and black-powder substitutes are legal.
n. Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or at-
tached to muzzleloader during muzzleloading seasons.

Marlinguy, Does Oregon have a special season for muzzle loading rifles only?

Pennsylvania has two seasons. The early season in October is a 1 week long, antlerless only hunt that allow pretty much any type of muzzle loading set up: inline, caplock, flintlock. Scopes are allowed as well. It requires an antlerless tag to participate. 
The original season started way back in the mid 1970s and occurs after Christmas. This three week late season is a flintlock only hunt with traditional sighting. No scopes allowed though I see peeps are now permitted. Buck or doe can be tagged with an unused regular antlered tag or doe with a antlerless tag. 
Any regular rifle season allows the use of any type of muzzle loader of the specified minimum caliber: .44 or larger rifles or .50 and up pistol. 
I started hunting with a flintlock in the regular firearms seasons in the early 1970s. Pennsylvania has its share of wet sloppy weather which makes it a challenge to use a flintlock, let alone a traditional percussion gun. Let's face it gents, back in the 1700 and early 1800s they didn't hunt in the rain, but holed up instead to wait it out for better weather. Nowadays we hunt on a schedule and have no choice. But at least we have better clothing ... and meds!
My coonskin cap is off to Ken for his achievement, regardless of the century.

John   

Marlinguy, thanks for the reply.

Congratulations on a nice bull elk.