Please note, this possible change would only affect Pennsylvania’s regular muzzleloader season, which allows traditional AND modern muzzleloaders. If changed, this rule would NOT affect the Pennsylvania flintlock only season.

This week the Pennsylvania Game Commission held a Commissioners meeting to discuss possible changes to the Keystone State’s hunting regulations. While many topics were discussed, muzzleloader hunting could be in for some changes. Check out the highlights from the PA press room below:

MUZZLELOADERS USING CAPTURED POWDER CHARGES CONSIDERED

Legal definitions presently prohibit hunters from using muzzleloading firearms that accept breech-loaded, captured-powder charges.

That could change, based on a measure the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners preliminarily approved today.

As their name suggests, muzzleloading firearms typically are loaded from the muzzle. And present law prohibits any muzzleloaders that accept cartridge ammunition, most of which contain both powder and projectile. Some modern muzzleloaders accept charges that are similar to cartridges, but contain only powder. The captured powder charges are loaded from the breech while the projectiles are loaded from the muzzle. Those muzzleloaders presently are prohibited because of the prohibition on cartridge use in muzzleloaders.

The commissioners said the prohibition on cartridge use in muzzleloaders originally was intended to restrict modern firearms that accept cartridges containing both projectile and powder. Amending the law to allow muzzleloaders that accept captured powder charges would preserve that original intent.

Hunters using captured powder charges in appropriate firearms also might find greater convenience in the ability to more easily unload their muzzleloader without firing it. 

The measure will be brought back to the September meeting for a final vote and, if approved at that time, could be in effect beginning in 2023.

We won’t know if these changes will be going anywhere until September, but depending on how you feel it is a good time to contact your local representatives in the Game Commission to let your voice be heard. Regardless of how you feel on these or any possible changes, it’s important to be active in your local government whenever possible.

While not specifically mentioned, this possible change highlights the latest push for the “Federal Fire Stick” to be allowed in more state hunting seasons. The Traditions Nitro Fire catches the most press because it is currently the only rifle on the market to utilize the Federal Fire Stick and Hodgdon’s “Triple 8” powder. As of writing, the Nitro Fire and the Federal Fire Stick are legal to use in 21 state’s muzzleloading seasons, with 12 more considering it. It should be noted that shooters are using the NitroFire and Fire Stick combo in the general firearms season all over the country.

The Arguments for or against these changes

Anytime there are proposed changes to the muzzleloader regulations in a state there are usually two loud sides and one quiet side. I’ll attempt to lay them out in an unbiased manner here.

Pro NitroFire/Fire Stick

Advocates for the NitroFire and Fire Stick say the rifle makes it easier for a new hunter to be introduced to muzzleloading or the muzzleloader season and makes hunting with a single shot muzzleloader more accessible for those who might not be physically able to load a traditionally breeched muzzleloader. Those who do not want to hunt with a NitroFire/Fire Stick can stick with the muzzleloader they are currently using. The states that have allowed the NitroFire/Fire Stick cite a desire for more hunters in the field and with increased hunters comes increased license/tag revenue, increased hunter tourism revenue , and increased tax revenue through the sale of hunting equipment which goes back into state and federal conservation of natural resources. At the end of the day, it’s argued that the allowance of a new muzzleloader doesn’t affect those who don’t want to hunt with it.

Against

Those protesting the addition of the Nitrofire/Fire Stick into muzzleloader seasons seek to keep the muzzleloader season more traditional, with both the charge and the projectile being loaded from the muzzle. With the introduction of the modern inline muzzleloader in 1985, many muzzleloading enthusiasts wish for their states to return to a pre-85 “traditional” or “historic” muzzleloader season that allows only traditional “sidelock” muzzleloaders. In much of the United States, modern hunting began with a muzzleloader season. With the reintroduction of whitetail deer in Indiana for example, my grandfather was able to draw for one of the first Indiana whitetail deer tags of the 20th century - only muzzleloaders were permitted. So when we look at the history of modern hunting, much of it began with a “muzzleloader only” season and because the modern inline was not developed, muzzleloader seasons around the country began as “traditional” only. At the end of the day, it’s argued that the traditional muzzleloaders take more skill and knowledge to take game with. It’s argued that the addition of modern muzzleloaders makes taking game easier for those with a modern muzzleloader, meaning less game for those with traditional muzzleloaders.

The Quiet Majority

To me, this is the most interesting section of this ever rolling argument - the quiet majority. While forums and comment threads duke it out on whether or not the NitroFire or Federal Firestick, or modern inlines for that matter, should be allowed in a muzzleloader season (irregardless of the states definitions usually), there is a large subsection of hunters out there who just need a little extra push to try something new. Many of us start our journey in firearms by hunting with an old bolt gun, it’s comfortable, it’s predictable, it just works. Muzzleloaders on the other hand can be complicated, dirty, and downright confusing if you don’t have some help. There are thousands of hunters out there who would never normally try something new like a muzzleloader if it weren’t for developments like the NitroFire or the modern inline. I know because I talk to them each and every day online and at events. These are new shooters, young and old, who get hands on with a modern muzzleloader because they feel like it’s similar to their other modern firearms. This familiarity allows new enthusiasts to get their feet wet and eventually, maybe, try something like a traditional muzzleloader down the road. It happens because I see it every day.

Conclusion

As always, I’m not here to tell you how to think on this. My only goal is to keep the community informed on what is going on in the world of muzzleloading. Let me know what you think sometime, did you try muzzleloading because of a modern muzzleloader? Or do you think the muzzleloader season should be like Pennsylvania’s flintlock only season across the country and stay traditional? Personally, I think there is room for both and I’d love to see more people hunting with muzzleloaders, but that’s just my take.

We’ll keep you informed as news breaks on this change for Pennsylvania’s muzzleloader season.