BC Muzzle loader Hunting Season?

stevejones

stevejones

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Courtenay, BC
I am posting this thread to see how much interest there is out there in getting a muzzle loading season started in BC. I sent a proposal to my main office in Nanaimo but was turned down cold. My proposal was to initiate a season using traditional (primitive?) muzzle loaders only. This would have excluded the use of inline type weapons (please guys. I do not want get in a debate about inlines versus traditional...). The reason(s) I was given were (in my opinion) weak and I got the impression that they just did not want to be bothered.
So what I would like is to see how many of you out there would support a season and if you have any suggestions and possible data sources to help so I can take another kick at this.

Cheers. Steve (aka Bush Ratt)
 
Your proposal is not without precedent. In years past an area along the Pine R near Ft St John was designated a primitive arms only area. As I recall BP sidelocks and archery gear were the only weapons allowed.

I have had a lot of success introducing and modifying seasons for archery gear. I know it can be done. PM me and I will tell you the format I used.

The problem with introducing a muzzleloader season is where do you put it? The other gun hunters won't be willing to give up part of their season and the bowhunters have fought too hard to willingly give away anything they have gained.

The best approach is probably, as was done previously, to set aside specific areas for primitive arms. This approach could have a better chance of success for a couple of reasons that I see:
(1) The area set aside would represent a very small percentage of the total land area available to the other hunters and therefore any strong resistance from other rifle hunters could be seen as petty and selfish.
(2) By proposing a primitive arms area, as opposed to a muzzleloader only area, you would arouse the interest of, and the the support of, the bowhunters in your area. More support equals a better chance to succeed especially if a local bowhunting group would directly support your proposal.

Good Luck:)
 
Alberta has very little. The only prominent "primitive weapons" hunt is on the Army base in Wainwright. It's all on a draw basis. Very popular but a long wait.
 
The problem is, where do you put this season? What dates?

And of course, the other is is that the BCWF and the MOE are currently focused on general hunter recruitment and retention, not special seasons.
 
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The Wainright hunt for muzzle loader and bow is only for 1 - 3 day season, the 3 other 3 day seasons are for whatever you want to use. The "designated area" is likely your best chance. I thought there was a "primitive weapons" area east of Grande Prairie? It should be no different then getting "shotgun only" or "archery only" areas, but I think instead of a "muzzle loader" area that you guys are on the right track with a "primitive weapons" zone(s).
 
Primitive Weapons Area

Hey Guys. Thank you for the prompt replies. My proposal was focused on ONE specific area on Vancouver Island. There is a "shotgun with shot" only area that also has an archery only season. My proposal was to allow:

Primitive only type muzzle loaders (sidelock, no inline ignition)
Smoothbore only (remember that this a is a shotguns with shot only area!)
Flintlock ignitions only
Multiple projectiles consisting only of buckshot
any and all restrictions applying to huting deer with shotguns would apply to this season. This would mean min/max size of shot, number of projectiles.


I do not know how much more reasonable and un intrusive this season could be to any archers out there. When you compare the type of weapon I am proposing for this season to some of the different types of archery equipment that is available it feels that any resistance to what I proposed to be of dubious nature.

Any comments please. Bush Ratt
 
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I am in favour for muzzle loader (side lock), smooth bore, archery and crossbow only.
NO more centerfire rifle hunting in BC.
who is with me?
 
Closing centerfire seasons????

Hey. I am trying to increase opportunities for everyone, not take away everone elses priveleges. Keep that stuff off this thread PLEASE.

Bush Ratt
 
I heard that there is a new primitive season in Alberta on the eastern border. Shotguns, ML and creossbows will be allowed and 2 weeks will be carved out of the archery season for it.
 
Omega said:
I heard that there is a new primitive season in Alberta on the eastern border. Shotguns, ML and creossbows will be allowed and 2 weeks will be carved out of the archery season for it.
Click to expand...

Legit source, or a friend of a guy who talked to someone in a bar one night?
 
Saskatchewan has a system that works fairly well, maybe worth a look.

(going from memory here, so may be out of date)

The short version is that there are two large areas designated as "shotgun zones' in which rifles are not allowed. The zones coincide pretty well with the two population centers, around Regina/Moose Jaw, and around Saskatoon.

In the all the zones, with some variations, the Archery season is open on or after the September long weekend, then generally, about a month later, the shotgun/muzzleloader season starts, then Rifle a month or so after that.

It gave a guy lots of opportunities, if he was willing to change up the gear over the course of the season. There are things like the availability of over-the-counter tags for archery mule deer, and the like, to give even more motivation to the guys that are willing to do the short range hunting.

I can't see being able to convince the powers in BC to block out one group in favor of another, but you could make a strong argument in favor of allowing the muzzle loaders to use the areas that rifle hunting is being discouraged in, due to population or other concerns.

Cheers
Trev
 
I would say that anywhere you are limited to SG's (with slugs), muzzle loaders should be allowed. If you start trying to implement, what one person consider 'traditional' your going to get others throwing up their guards, and ultimately it will flop.

To many rules, you'll lose support.
Trying taking away someone elses season be prepared for opposition.

If it adds an opportunity, where there wasn't one already great, but you'll find that's where SG's and bows have already filled the gaps.
 
I like the current system, a early bow only season then it's open to all regardless of what tool you use. Currently there is nothing stopping anyone from using their tools of choice. This way everyone gets a longer hunting season for what every you're chasing.
 
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hakx said:
Alberta has very little. The only prominent "primitive weapons" hunt is on the Army base in Wainwright. It's all on a draw basis. Very popular but a long wait.
Click to expand...

What about the County of Strathcona (I'd consider it quite prominent)...then there's WMU 212 antlerless deer and there is a new antlerless elk season this year in 212 as well plus the new eastern zones. We are slowly opening the door.
 
way back when.......

Can anyone remember what the reasons were when then took the special weapons early season away from us and made it a archery only season? The first two weeks of deer season used to be special weapons, muzzle loaders, bows and crossbows. This may shed some light as to why it may be difficult to reintroduce a special season again.
 
I do remember when muzzleloaders shared the special/primitive season with archers.
I enjoyed going out with my TC Hawken.
Shortly after the ML season disappeared, I put forward a motion at the club I belonged to then, to ask the BCWF to ask the Ministry to re-instate the ML season. Apparently, the motion went nowhere.

I would still like to see a separate season for traditional pattern ML.
 
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