West Virginia Muzzleloader Hunting Rules Change to allow Federal Firestick, but protect “Heritage Season”

West Virginia is the latest state to take a look at their muzzleloader hunting rules and makes some changes, just in time for the 2023-2024 muzzleloader hunting season. While there is only one rule change that affects muzzleloaders, it could be a big one.

It is now legal to use an encapsulated propellant charge that loads from the breech when the projectile is loaded from the muzzle in a single-shot muzzleloading pistol or single-shot muzzleloading rifle that has a bore diameter of .38 caliber or larger during the muzzleloader deer season. These encapsulated charges may not be used with muzzleloading firearms during the Mountaineer Heritage Season.

These changes are included in the new 2023-24 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary, which is now available online at WVdnr.gov/hunting-regulations. Hunters who wish to obtain a printed copy of the summary should contact their local hunting and fishing license agent or WVDNR district office.

Read the method of take rules for West Virginia’s muzzleloader season below:

Muzzleloader season hunting for antlered deer is legal in all counties open to the buck firearms season. A deer of either sex may be taken in the muzzleloader season in all counties or parts thereof open to the Class N season. One additional deer may be taken on a Class RM or RRM stamp or a Class DT license in all counties having the muzzleloader season (see pages 15-17 and 31). In the muzzleloader season, only single-shot muzzleloaders, including “in-lines” and muzzleloaders using an encapsulated propellant charge that loads from the breech, with the projectile loaded from the muzzle of .38 caliber or larger, are legal. Telescopic sights are legal.

A firearm that has been converted into a muzzleloader by use of a plug, or a double-barreled or swivel- barreled muzzleloader is illegal for deer hunting during the muzzleloader season.

A bow, crossbow or an air rifle may not be substituted for a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season

West Virginia isn’t the first to see this rule change, Traditions and Federal have been very open about their communication with state game agencies, “bringing awareness” to the Federal Fire Stick and the Nitro Fire rifles. West Virginia is using very similar language to describe the “Fire Stick” as we have seen in other states that have made a decision on the product. Some states still don’t allow the Federal Firestick Encapsulated powder charge, using the same description in their ruling against the product as we seeing rulings allowing it.

This isn’t a big change to West Virginia’s muzzleloader season, but some argue that it is another example of the camel’s nose under the tent. Virginia already allows in-line “modern” muzzleloaders in their muzzleloading season, down to a .38 caliber. Telescopic sights are also allowed, but interestingly, West Virginia has strict rules against using firearms that have been converted to muzzleloaders with a new “plug” as well as side-by-side or swivel barrel muzzleloaders, many of which have been around much longer than telescopic sights. This is another good example of a state game agency having specific rules that don’t necessarily align with historical innovation. It seems to us that West Virginia is putting a focus on the “Single-Shot” aspect of muzzleloading, not that I disagree at all. These kinds of discussions come around each year and as rules change. I think it is beneficial to analyze the wording from state to state to better understand how the state makes these decisions.

Mountaineer Heritage Season Protected

Opponents of the Federal Fire Stick say the Fire Stick, and many other modern muzzleloaders, don’t keep the true spirit of muzzleloading alive. Thankfully for them, the Mountaineer Heritage Season is fully protected from this recent change.

Only single-shot side lock or flintlock muzzleloading rifles with iron sights of .38 caliber or larger, single-shot side lock or flintlock muzzleloading pistols with iron sights of .38 caliber or larger, long bows and recurve bows are legal during the Mountaineer Heritage season.

Telescopic sights are not permitted. In-line muzzleloaders, muzzleloaders using an encapsulated propellant charge that loads from the breech, with the projectile loaded from the muzzle, and a firearm that has been converted into a muzzleloader by use of a plug, or a double-barreled or swivel-barreled muzzleloader is illegal for hunting deer, bear and turkey during this season.

Yes, the Heritage season could be amended, but so far we have seen these seasons protected in the states that have them. I was recently talking about muzzleloader hunting seasons and some of the frustration that can be felt by enthusiasts looking for one thing or the other during the season. In my opinion, it comes down to how the individual state game agency defines certain words. Where a state like Georgia considers anything that loads from the muzzle to be “primitive”, states like West Virginia use a term like “Heritage” to restrict a season to more “historic”, “pre 1890”, or “traditional”.

These definitions are part of an ongoing discussion between muzzleloading enthusiasts, hunters, the hunting industry, and state game agencies. I’m so happy to see West Virginia protecting their heritage season while working to expand hunting opportunities for their general muzzleloading season. This could serve as a good set of guidelines for other states looking to celebrate their muzzleloading heritage.