2012 Muzzle Loader Season Changes.

[Gatorjet]

Some may welcome the additional opportunities, some may not. The bottom line though is that more methods will be allowed for the 2012 muzzle loading deer season including modern handguns:

To provide hunters more options during the muzzleloader portion of the firearms deer season, additional hunting methods will be allowed. These include archery methods, crossbows, atlatls, handguns firing expanding-type centerfire ammunition, and air-powered guns, .40 caliber or larger, that are charged only from an external high-compression power source.

To me the so called muzzleloader season has long been nothing but another rifle season. With enclosed locks using shotgun primers, pellets of "substitute" black powder, Jacketed pistol bullets in a sabot, and modern optics the "modern" muzzleloader is capable of accurate, and leathel shooting to 200 yards or better. A far cry from what a true "muzzleloader is. Complaints have been made of destroying the integrity of the muzzleloading season. Sorry, the integrity was destroyed when the first Knight in-line hit the store shelves. If it is to really be a muzzleloader season, then the only way is loose powder, exposed hamer lock of either percussion cap or flint, and no optics. That would protect the integrity of the muzzleloader season.

As for me, with the new regulations, I might use my T/C 50 Cal. New Englander , or maybe my T/C Contender Super 14 35 Remington. Maybe my trusty Ruger Super Blackhawk, or go completely modern with my 10MM Glock 20. Gee, I like choice.

[duckydoty]

I hunted during the rifle season one year with the 44 Ruger Super Blackhawk and Iron sights. It was awesome!

[Feathers and Fins]

Do away with the muzzle season and just increase the firearms season. Seriously I can reach out 200 yrds with my TC with confidance and accuracy and most my deer shot heck all have been under that range anyway. Make it 1 deer firearms tag and 1 buck archery and put a restriction you must harvest a doe before before you can use the buck firearm and then give a county by county doe tag limit or something like that. I also think Youth season should be 1 week long with a anydeer tag.

[Gatorjet]

Great ideas Feathers and Fins. The only problem is the big lease farms in the Northern part of the state will lose business to the "head hunters" if they have to first take a lowly doe, and actually help with the heard control. Now we wouldn't want that to happen, would we? Just think, the owners of thousands of acres of Northern Missouri land missing out on tens of thousands of dollars worth of lease money from trophy outfitters. Then there is the non-resident deer tags that wouldn't be sold because some guy doesn't want to waste time hunting a doe before he can take his trophy buck that has been raised, and located for him.

My deer hunting successes are measured by the amount of good times I have with my son, and friends. Not buy some point system for grading a deer. Weather it be with a centerfire rifle, muzeleloader, archery, or handgun.

[Feathers and Fins]

Oh no Gator we wouldnt want that to happen, I mean those misssouri does are so elusive and hard to find it may take an entire 10 minutes of their day from a trophy buck hunt.

[brother dave]

I hunted during the rifle season one year with the 44 Ruger Super Blackhawk and Iron sights. It was awesome!

I was there it was awesome

[Gatorjet]

I've carried my Super Blackhawk while deer hunting for most of the past 30 years. Usually in addition to a rifle. Only took one deer with it. A head shot on a doe @ about 30 Yds. Instant drop. Well, a giant leap straight up first, but then a drop into a pile on the ground.

Since I picked up the Contender with the Super 14 35 Remington barrel last summer, it's all i take with me. I didn't get a shot last season, but with the addition of handguns during the muzzleloader season I'll have plenty more chances this year.