Wed Sep 13, 2017 11:54 am
SMH.
I'm not arguing against a muzzleloader season. I"m all for it. I'm all for an archery season. I'm all for expanded opportunity.
Just not certain how a scope on a muzzleloader expands opportunity. Maybe by giving rifle guys that can't shoot more confidence making it easier for the asshats that can't shoot deer in the Firearms season have second shot and buy another license?
This isn't an issue for me of people wanting to shoot too many deer. It's an issue of changing definitions of specific chase requirements. You put a scope on a muzzleloader and I'm just not that impressed with the difficulty level, where before I was. Like with Spring Snows, using e-Callers and magazine extensions. There's a weird space between increasing hunting opportunity and harvest opportunity.
Why not eCallers in the fall?
Why not "00" shot for deer? They use it some parts of the country
Deer baiting? Legal some places, we already do it for bear
Shining.... how is a deer shot at night different than a deer shot in daylight
Unplugged shotguns.... 6 ducks is 6 ducks, wouldn't we disturb LESS birds if we shot them faster?
Noon opener vs 1/2 before sunrise?
YWD vs Teal Season.... opportunity for some? Is the YWD recruitment effort effective, or simply a marketing/PR play that gets extra budget?
Into this, I put scopes on muzzleloaders. I'm not saying cancel muzzleloader season, I'm asking if a muzzleloader with a scope, at some point, is just a rifle.
For archery, add in CrossBows. Allowable as an alternative to traditional archery to increase opportunity for disabled and as I recall, elderly with a Dr. note... now, anyone over 60. Okay, well, anticipate the march of time and the efforts to increase opportunity will make it legal for any age at some point. Because, you know, it's kind of like archery so let's go get it.
On the "Limited Seasons" part, if what holds in waterfowl is true, the highest success rate/increased harvest will come from people that already harvest. 80/20 rule. As hunter numbers drop as part of the real population it's likely a moot point. Those most likely to take advantage of expanded opportunities are likely the most proficient hunters. So, per hunter increase I'd assume an increase in hunter success per hour of hunting.
Or, it could all end up like the dove season. Expanded opportunity with exceptional bio-mass available for harvest, but a relative pain in the ass for our ag mix and it competes with goose season, where one goose will make about 5 limits of doves.....
I'm not trying to draw you in to some vortex here. But to me, as stated before, I think Robo's are laughable but guys buy and use the hell out of them, so be it. I'm not saying "go to Restricted seasons due to robo use". The position you're trying to pin on me is the one used by jackholes that say things like "No one needs an AR to hunt"? Well, it's on single fire with a magazine and is shooting single shot ammo of a legal size... seems to me the looks of the rifle don't really make a difference and if it pumps your trigger, have at it! But it's a rifle used during rifle season.
I'm really not trying to make a federal case about this. Blaze away. Have fun. Total harvest rates will be managed by seasons and brown deer permits regardless if they had a 90-day all techniques season, and I won't lose sleep over it.
