Earlier this year, Representative Caleb Hinkle’s “Heritage Muzzleloader Hunting Season” passed through the Montana legislature after leaving the Fish and Wildlife Committee.

With muzzleloader hunting seasons starting in several US States, and hunters in other states planning their hunts, we thought it good to highlight Montana’s latest hunting season. It’s hard to believe, but until this year, Montana was the ONLY state in the union without a muzzle loader hunting season. At just 9 days, it is a short but welcome season for muzzleloading enthusiasts.

It’s hard to believe that anyone would oppose adding a short muzzleloading hunt in Montana but several did. The “Backcountry Hunters and Anglers” originally supported the change, but pulled support when entering the committee stage, citing concern over land owners growing tired of hunters, and game being exhausted from the general hunting season. Some hunters didn’t think it was right to give muzzleloading enthusiasts more time in the woods, mentioning anyone can hunt with a muzzleloader during the general rifle season. And oddly enough, even muzzleloading enthusiasts were against the bill, concerned it would soon leave it’s “Traditional” or “Heritage” roots to allow modern muzzleloaders.

In the end, the change passed, and muzzleloading hunters have their own short season to get some extra time with their muzzleloaders, I consider that a win for the sport and community at large.

Below we’ve outlined the rules in the new hunting season and linked to where you can find more information from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks department.

Any license and permit that was valid for deer or elk through the general big game season will be valid for that species during the traditional muzzleloader season that runs December 11–19, 2021 per the conditions of that license and permit and regulations pertaining to the hunting district(s) in which the license-permit is valid. With the following exceptions, all other general big game season regulations apply, including in weapons restricted areas.

Conditions:
Where existing approved seasons are in place that overlap the traditional muzzleloader season, such as elk shoulder seasons, late white-tailed deer seasons and lion seasons, the regulations associated with those approved seasons remain in place. Therefore, there can be overlap between the existing approved season and muzzleloader season (e.g., cow elk only in a shoulder season hunting district using rifles, but bull elk could be taken with traditional muzzleloader in that same hunting district with valid license and permit).

Department staff may initiate game damage and management hunts following established policies and using modern firearms, during the traditional muzzleloader season. Many Wildlife Management Areas close on December 1 to protect wintering wildlife. Traditional
muzzleloader hunting on those WMAs will not be allowed. Motorized access on many federal lands is closed as of December 1.

Hunters must comply with land management agency travel plans.

Muzzleloader hunters must use plain lead projectiles and a muzzleloading rifle that is charged with loose black powder, loose pyrodex, or an equivalent loose black powder substitute, and ignited by a flintlock, wheel lock, matchlock, or percussion mechanism using a percussion or musket cap.

The muzzleloading rifle must be a minimum of .45 caliber and may not have more than two barrels. May not use a muzzleloading rifle that requires insertion of a cap or primer into the open breech of the barrel, is capable of being loaded from the breech, or is mounted with an optical magnification device.

Use of pre-prepared paper or metallic cartridges, sabots, gas checks, or other similar power and range-enhancing manufactured loads that enclose the projectile from the rifling or bore of the firearm is also prohibited. Statute requires hunter orange to worn while hunting or accompanying a hunter while hunting during a firearm season. This regulation would apply to these muzzleloader seasons.