This subject deserves its own post, so here goes;
I don't think we can depend on the average fish and game department to return us to true traditional weapons, and I'm talking about sidelock percussion and flintlocks. I've never been interested in underhammers so I don't know anything about them is the reason I have not included them.
At this point the average fish and game department is using primitive weapons seasons as a tool to generate more revenue. They could care less about the weapons used. They also don't care that the original intention of the season has been aborted by the inclusion of inlines. For instance, in New Mexico you can not only use an inline during the ML Elk season but a scope also. And since they regulate the number of tags sold and their lottery is always oversubscribed their agenda is served.
Here in Georgia the DNR graciously granted us a Primitive weapons season. The only difference is that you can't use a scope on your super duper waterproof stainless steel inline. What a farce! We have too many deer (some say) and our gun season lasts nearly 3 months. You could already use a muzzleloader of your choice during the prime rut days. But they gave us a season during the end of October when its sometimes in the 90's with 90 % humidity and charged us extra for it and the uninformed hunters are flocking to buy that one week license. Also the retailers are making a killing selling the latest inlines and pyrodex pellets one week before the season.
I think some states such as Illinois and Iowa could do well by adding a traditional ML hunt during the rut but I know I am prejudiced.
My hats off to any State DNR who changes the laws to permit only traditional weapons, but I see few actually doing so.
No, I don't personally see the answer lying with our state departments. I see the answer on your TV screen and in the magazines.
30 years ago we were influenced by Jeremiah Johnson. Everybody had to have a hawken gun. And if you intended on ML hunting a sidelock was basically your only choice. Since hunting shows on TV were considered in bad taste then the magazines were full of traditional weapons. Today we have the Outdoor channel and others who are not afraid to air hunting shows. Many shooters are strongly influenced by these shows. 99.9% of what they see are inlines. Both in use and advertised. In the past several years I have never, not once, seen a traditional gun advertised. In fact some unsophisticated hunters don't even know you can still buy one.
If you want to see an advertisement for a Chambers lock or kit, a TOTW kit or a Getz barrel, you basically must seek it out. About the only place to find these are in dedicated black powder publications. Unfortunately these are not the places the majority of aspiring ML hunters look for guidance. Mainly these publications reach those who are already in the loop.
I, for one, would like to see a Traditional ML hunting show where the "Pros" and this is a term I use very, very loosely, use only fine flintlock and percussion rifles and shotguns/fowlers. Where you will see a well thought out advertisement for traditional firearms, from companys like, Caywood, Chambers, Rice, L&R, Pecatonica, Dunlap, Colrain... etc. I think their are enough of these to fund a show.
I think this is the place to reach people. I think the game laws will change when the majority of hunters demand them to change. And that won't happen as long as their senses are flooded with the likes of TC Encores and Knight rifles.
I don't think pointing all this out in a ML forum or on the pages of a ML magazine will change anything.... But, its a real good place to start.
I don't think we can depend on the average fish and game department to return us to true traditional weapons, and I'm talking about sidelock percussion and flintlocks. I've never been interested in underhammers so I don't know anything about them is the reason I have not included them.
At this point the average fish and game department is using primitive weapons seasons as a tool to generate more revenue. They could care less about the weapons used. They also don't care that the original intention of the season has been aborted by the inclusion of inlines. For instance, in New Mexico you can not only use an inline during the ML Elk season but a scope also. And since they regulate the number of tags sold and their lottery is always oversubscribed their agenda is served.
Here in Georgia the DNR graciously granted us a Primitive weapons season. The only difference is that you can't use a scope on your super duper waterproof stainless steel inline. What a farce! We have too many deer (some say) and our gun season lasts nearly 3 months. You could already use a muzzleloader of your choice during the prime rut days. But they gave us a season during the end of October when its sometimes in the 90's with 90 % humidity and charged us extra for it and the uninformed hunters are flocking to buy that one week license. Also the retailers are making a killing selling the latest inlines and pyrodex pellets one week before the season.
I think some states such as Illinois and Iowa could do well by adding a traditional ML hunt during the rut but I know I am prejudiced.
My hats off to any State DNR who changes the laws to permit only traditional weapons, but I see few actually doing so.
No, I don't personally see the answer lying with our state departments. I see the answer on your TV screen and in the magazines.
30 years ago we were influenced by Jeremiah Johnson. Everybody had to have a hawken gun. And if you intended on ML hunting a sidelock was basically your only choice. Since hunting shows on TV were considered in bad taste then the magazines were full of traditional weapons. Today we have the Outdoor channel and others who are not afraid to air hunting shows. Many shooters are strongly influenced by these shows. 99.9% of what they see are inlines. Both in use and advertised. In the past several years I have never, not once, seen a traditional gun advertised. In fact some unsophisticated hunters don't even know you can still buy one.
If you want to see an advertisement for a Chambers lock or kit, a TOTW kit or a Getz barrel, you basically must seek it out. About the only place to find these are in dedicated black powder publications. Unfortunately these are not the places the majority of aspiring ML hunters look for guidance. Mainly these publications reach those who are already in the loop.
I, for one, would like to see a Traditional ML hunting show where the "Pros" and this is a term I use very, very loosely, use only fine flintlock and percussion rifles and shotguns/fowlers. Where you will see a well thought out advertisement for traditional firearms, from companys like, Caywood, Chambers, Rice, L&R, Pecatonica, Dunlap, Colrain... etc. I think their are enough of these to fund a show.
I think this is the place to reach people. I think the game laws will change when the majority of hunters demand them to change. And that won't happen as long as their senses are flooded with the likes of TC Encores and Knight rifles.
I don't think pointing all this out in a ML forum or on the pages of a ML magazine will change anything.... But, its a real good place to start.
