WI allows Scopes on muzzleloaders

Did you guys see that Wisconsin is allowing us to use magnified scopes on our muzzleloaders? I say it’s about time!

Where did you get this info from?

I heard that also yesterday about time.

Good deal guys, you can use them here also. I don’t see why a guy couldn’t because it helps zero in and get a better cleaner kill.

Muzzlelaoders used to be considered a primative weapon. A muzzlelaoder isn’t really a muzzleloader anymore other than the way you load it. IMO might as well just extend the rifle (gun) season another couple of weeks. I understand the whole improved accuracy thing, but what’s next heat seeking arrows?

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Muzzlelaoders used to be considered a primative weapon. A muzzlelaoder isn’t really a muzzleloader anymore other than the way you load it. IMO might as well just extend the rifle (gun) season another couple of weeks. I understand the whole improved accuracy thing, but what’s next heat seeking arrows?

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I’m in the same vote as you. I like the fact of hunting in Minnesota and South Dakota where they are not allowed and making it tougher and more skillful to get within 50 yards or less on deer for a clean ethical shot. 10 deer in the last 4 years. Everyone in the heart/lung. Ranging from 3-53 yards, shot from the ground. Hunting is not supposed to be easy in my opinion. That is why I only hunt the muzzleloader seasons.

I agree, the definition/tradition of muzzleloading has changed….ALOT !!!! I consider what most people do today (myself included) as “Single shot rifle hunting”….

I also agree. i am a bow hunter through and through but i will pick my muzzle loader a few times a year. but i got my girl friend hunting this year and she used the muzzle loader last year. and with alot of practice and WITHOUT a scope she shot her deer at about 100 yards and said it was easy. i mean how much easier can it get. i am glade we are not allowed scopes around here. but that is my opinion.

I cant find anything esle online about minnesotas bill for scopes on muzzleloaders, does any one know if it has past or not??

Great news for Wisc. I hope MN follow suit.

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Where did you get this info from?

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It was in the latest issue of WON.

I like the new rule because all my life I have shot with a scope. I can shoot comfortably with my smoke pole out to about 50 yards with iron sights. The guns are 200 yard guns so why put my limitations to 50 yards. The guns aren’t what they use to be when they first started the muzzleloader season. I can shoot an apple all day long with the scope on, but when I take it off it is a whole nother ball game. It’s not really any different than the bows of old being 30 yard bows…..now they are 50,60 and 70 yard bows.

I hope MN stays the way they are. The ML season was created for the tradition of the sport. With all the new in-lines, technology, and etc. it has gotten away from tradition. This scope thing would throw the final towel in and would make the ML more accurate and deadlier then the shot gun! The shot gun is used in approximately half of the state for the fire arms season.

For those of you that want to see bigger bucks or in favor of QDM in the state, the change of this scope rule would not help a single bit. IMO, and what I believe is pretty much a fact, during the Muzzle Loader season those mature bucks are even more vulnerable and easier to hunt with a long range weapon then during the fire arms season (the rut). For one they become VERY predictable, something they are not during the rut. They sacrifice their safety to put food in their stomachs and replenish after the rigors of a hard rut. They visit food sources that are very predictable during day light hours and now with magnified scopes you are extending the range of a muzzle loader to at least double the distance or from 100-125 yards to 250 yards plus. Not a good thing for big bucks IMO.

I agree with what a few of the others have already stated. Might as well extend rifle season. Way to go WIDNR
I can’t wait to see how many wounded deer come out of this “more accurate” muzzy season

I love it Game on !!!

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Muzzlelaoders used to be considered a primative weapon. A muzzlelaoder isn’t really a muzzleloader anymore other than the way you load it. IMO might as well just extend the rifle (gun) season another couple of weeks. I understand the whole improved accuracy thing, but what’s next heat seeking arrows?

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I’m in the same vote as you. I like the fact of hunting in Minnesota and South Dakota where they are not allowed and making it tougher and more skillful to get within 50 yards or less on deer for a clean ethical shot. 10 deer in the last 4 years. Everyone in the heart/lung. Ranging from 3-53 yards, shot from the ground. Hunting is not supposed to be easy in my opinion. That is why I only hunt the muzzleloader seasons.

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I support the change. I don’t think the DNR should legislate the degree of difficulty in hunting. Thats decided by the INDIVIDUAL. If you want iron sights, great. Just don’t tell me I have to use them. I’m not forcing you to use a scope. I don’t tell people they have to shoot trophy bucks only or doe only. Its their choice. Shoot what makes you happy and is legal. Its YOUR hunt, not mine. Use a rifle, or archery or black powder. If its safe, legal and ethical, I support your right to choose.

I personally think that any rule change that can increase participation is a good one. More people will try black powder hunting if they can use a scope. More license sales and more revenue spent in the community by hunters is a good thing.

While there is nothing wrong with people choosing to hunt in their own way…. if it is legal…. a little common sense does not hurt. If somebody is holding out going hunting because they can’t have a scope on a muzzleloader…. they need to read the reg’s about the rifle and shotgun seasons they can partake in. At this pace, I am afraid they will create a grenade season for deer…. I just wonder how much is enough for us ???

I’m all for the “traditional” muzzleloader to be used in the muzzleloader season but then I look at my archery equipment. Carbon riser with beyond parallel limbs, release, drop away arrow rest,fiber optic sights w/light, carbon arrows, mechanical broadheads…… far from the traditional recurve or longbow. How big of a hypocrite am I?

I hear ya… but that’s where I say common sense ( I know you have it Dennis…I know you ) A line has to be drawn somewhere. With archery equipment, I draw it at crossbows….they are not a bow (although I have no problem with people using who cannot use a regular bow, much the same way, people with eye problems can use a scope on a muzzy in MN) What I won’t do is agree with it, because then somebody else might pick up the sport, because its easier… then a NEW season needs to be made, because it is a different weapon. I also would disagree with a bow that shot 4 arrows, at 1 yard spacing, much like a buckshot load… I just think it changes too much, from what the season was designed for. If you want to shoot a muzzy with a scope, you can do it all day long during rifle season

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If you want to shoot a muzzy with a scope, you can do it all day long during rifle season

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I agree with G totally on this point. Although for some it is Fire arms season and not Rifle as for approx. half the state it is Slug/Shotgun & MuzzleLoader season.

Some great discussion points here and I’m on the fence. Do you think there will be less wounded deer if hunters are allowed to use a scope on their muzzleloaders? Or do you think it won’t make a difference anyways because hunters will be taking longer shots with a scope?

Your right Brad, the scopes will make the limited shooters think they can shoot when they couldn’t even with bare sights. The scopes will help the skilled shooters make a cleaner and farther shot, It looks like it works both ways, like everything else I guess.

I really am not leaning either way on wounded deer or clean kills. I just think that a muzzleloader hunt, should not become so easy, that it just becomes another rifle hunt.

I agree G, the reason this “extra season” was introduced was for the tradition of the sport. Now they are as accurate and can shoot farther than any Slug Gun, especially with a Scope! If you want to use a Scope on a muzzle loader, shoot it during the firearms season.

My thought is that the scope will provide false confidence for alot of people to take shots beyond their effective range, resulting in more wounded deer.
Beyond that though the greatest part of muzzy season for myself has always been about getting as close to my quarry as I can, not seeing how far out I hit one at

i’ve been running MZ for close to 20 years now and would not shoot anything else personally.

i see the MZ as a single shot and we run our land with that in mind. all hunters are limited to singleshot guns, whether, MZ, rifle or shotgun. Really helps with the wounding rate. Sobers up nearly everyone.

don’t believe this will change much for us.

Welcome to posting on In Depth Outdoors stuwest!

Thanks for taking the time to give us your input! Feel free to chime in or share your info anytime.

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My thought is that the scope will provide false confidence for alot of people to take shots beyond their effective range, resulting in more wounded deer.
Beyond that though the greatest part of muzzy season for myself has always been about getting as close to my quarry as I can, not seeing how far out I hit one at

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Thats my thoughts 100%.

I understand where you guys are coming from, but… The guys who are willing to take poor/rushed/bad shots with a scope most likely did the same with iron sights. Right? I’m not sure a scope makes them anymore or less dangerous to the animals.

Agreed, but it adds many more animals to the subject of such shots…. now what ?? Any animal out to 200 yards gets lobbed at ?? Mind you all, I am not saying anybody here does this, but can guarantee you, there are people out there who do

Agreed. However, wouldn’t it stand to reason that a shot at 200 yards increases the margin for error resulting in better odds of a clean miss?

I think we are splitting hairs most likely. Do I support scopes on muzzle loaders, yes.