The old ways: Bill adding muzzleloading season gets hearing

HELENA — Proponents of a bill that would create a special hunting season for traditional muzzleloading rifles say it would even the field for black powder hunters who have a hard time competing with modern rifles.

Hunting with a traditional muzzleloading rifle is more challenging than hunting with a modern rifle, as muzzleloading hunters need to get within a football field of their target. And, if they manage to get that close, their gun may not even discharge when they squeeze the trigger. Traditional muzzleloading firearms are usually unreliable under the best conditions.

House Bill 242, sponsored by Rep. Caleb Hinkle, R-Belgrade, would establish a nine-day season at the end of Montana’s five-week rifle season set aside just for traditional black powder rifles with open sights. Montana is the only state that does not have a special season for muzzleloading rifles.