No Scopes on Muzzleloaders next year in NM

[M16]

Technology has advanced too far. Back to iron sights. You will still be able to use scopes on your muzzleloader during the rifle season.

[Walker]

When did they start allowing scopes. I used to hunt there every year years ago and the weren't legal then.

[flywise]

I just got back from there and used my Hawken. I really enjoy shooting it with iron sights. My buddies put a coffee can out at 200 yards to see who could hit it. They had scopes, I only missed by a couple inches. I think it’s a good thing. Out to 150 is very doable

[Etxnoodler]

Good! Would be nice if they went traditional but that will never happen.

[Razrbk89]

Technology has advanced too far. Back to iron sights. You will still be able to use scopes on your muzzleloader during the rifle season.

I like it.

I kind of wish they’d do that, up here. I think the original spirit of ML season was definitely more traditional. Now, it’s basically just early rifle. Especially here, where most hunting is done in wooded areas where 99% of shots are <200 yards.

It’s probably not a suitable time to be limiting opportunities on whitetail, though. The woods seem to get a little more quiet every season!

[tx_basser]

I understand why they are doing it with ML technology. One of the podcast i listen to talk about 300-500 yards shots with them.

[Etxnoodler]

I like it.

I kind of wish they’d do that, up here. I think the original spirit of ML season was definitely more traditional. Now, it’s basically just early rifle. Especially here, where most hunting is done in wooded areas where 99% of shots are <200 yards.

It’s probably not a suitable time to be limiting opportunities on whitetail, though. The woods seem to get a little more quiet every season!

But it’s not limiting opportunity! Anybody can still hunt the general season. I would love for states to limit it to traditional muzzleloaders. Like you said. That’s what most of them designed their seasons for. Then people made a work around to be able to hunt longer without the effort.

[Hoggslayer]

Good thing muzzle loader season and youth season overlap. That means my 3yr old grandson can still hunt with my 300 win mag.

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[trophy8]

I just got back from there and used my Hawken. I really enjoy shooting it with iron sights. My buddies put a coffee can out at 200 yards to see who could hit it. They had scopes, I only missed by a couple inches. I think it’s a good thing. Out to 150 is very doable

And they killed and you didn’t lol.


I do agree some of these new MLs are way more capable than is within reason during ML season. That Gunwerks one is a legit 1k yard gun. That’s wild to me.

If I’m not mistaken don’t they have projectile regulations already? I think you have to use loose powder and no sabot in Colorado too? Regs can get confusing.

[M16]

When did they start allowing scopes. I used to hunt there every year years ago and the weren't legal then.

New Mexico State Game Commission Bans Scopes on Muzzleloaders

Starting next year, New Mexico hunters who take to the field in designated muzzleloader seasons will no longer be able to use scope sights on their guns, the state game commission voted Oct. 14.

The commission voted to approve a new, four-year “manner and method” rule setting regulations on hunting equipment. It also gave final approval to rules governing elk and deer hunting. Earlier this year, it approved rules for pronghorn, bighorn sheep and exotic species.

All the rules specify that hunters in designated muzzleloader hunts may not use scope sights. Hunters may continue to use scoped muzzleloaders in “any-legal-weapon” hunts that are also open for use with centerfire rifles.

Stewart Liley, head biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, told commissioners that recent improvements in muzzleloader technology have made the guns nearly as efficient as centerfire rifles. If the commission wanted to continue to allow the use of scoped muzzleloaders in designated muzzleloader seasons, he said the commission would have to reduce the number of permits it offers to avoid unsustainable losses to game herds.

Commissioner Roberta Salazar-Henry cast the lone votes against the change on muzzleloaders. She said she was dissatisfied with the game department’s public education efforts on the issue and said she was concerned that 17,000 muzzleloader hunters will find out next year that they don’t have a chance to use their scoped muzzleloaders anymore.

Jesse Deubel, executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, said the federation supports the prohibition of scopes on muzzleloaders. He said the NMWF focuses on providing more hunting opportunity for resident hunters.

Deubel noted that the game deparment director has authority to provide reasonable accommodation to hunters with documented vision issues.

[Jon Stewart]

Now if they would just that with crossbows. No scopes would make it interesting for those that use those things.

[Pernell]

Thats great news!

[M16]

Looks like they want to take away more nonresident elk hunting opportunities. Evidently poor NM residents can't afford landowner tags but nonresidents can.



Take Back Your Elk!

The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper recently printed a column by NMWF Executive Director Jesse Deubel explaining why state lawmakers should bring more elk-hunting opportunity back to New Mexico residents. To read Deubel's column,

The NMWF and the New Mexico Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers recently released a report detailing that nonresidents received over 35 percent of elk licenses issued in New Mexico last year. For more information about the groups' push to reform elk license distribution in New Mexico, titled "Take Back Your Elk," and to read the report,

[Hoggslayer]

Good thing muzzle loader season and youth season overlap. That means my 3yr old grandson can still hunt with my 300 win mag.

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I missed the NM part. I was trying to find this info on TP&W and couldn't. Now I know why.

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