Washington State Keeps Traditional Muzzleloading Sight Rules, votes to not allow Scopes

Last week, the Washington Fish and Wildlife commissioners rejected proposals that would have allowed slight modernization to the muzzleloading rules.

Currently in Washington State, sights must be open, peep and can include fiber optic inserts. Using any sort of sight with telescopic abilities or any type of glass is against the law. It is also against the law to have any kind of electronic device attached to your muzzleloader, like a camera.

The proposed rule changes focused on the following:

1. Allowing the use of 1x or red dot scopes on muzzleloading firearms.

2. Allowing video-cameras to be mounted to muzzleloading firearms.

3. Clarifying that the term “load” refers to the powder charge and projectile and that both must be loaded from the muzzle. (Possibly to restrict the use of the “Federal Fire Stick” during Washington’s Muzzleloading season, though it looks to be allowed in the rifle season)

Public comments were submitted and boiled down to the following:

Common themes:

• General support for rule changes• General disagreement about rule changes• Desire to maintain primitive weapon types• Concern about increased hunter participation in muzzleloader seasons• Concern over availability of 1x scopes• Support for rule change due to improved shot placement• Support for 1x scopes on muzzleloading firearms because it enables hunter participation (e.g., poor eyesight may restrict participation with this weapon type)

• Concern over ethical shot placement – perception that scopes may enable long- distance shooting

GMAC input: 92 (11/12)% agree with proposed changes

• Concern over scope availability
• Support for allowing 1x scope due to improved participation

Read the full presentation here

On April 7, the commission was split on modifications to the rules that would have allowed muzzleloaders to attach 1-power or red dot scopes to their guns or attach video cameras to their guns. Similar modifications were proposed for archery rules as well.

The commission ultimately rejected the muzzleloader scopes, range-finding bow sites and video camera proposals.

Source

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