Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Moves to Modernize Muzzleloader Definition

Why It Matters:   Advancements in muzzleloading technology, such as the Firestick, have enhanced the safety and reliability of traditional muzzleloading firearms while maintaining the traditional characteristic of loading the projectile down the barrel. However, many states have outdated definitions of “muzzleloaders” or “primitive firearms” that don’t allow for the use of such technologies during their primitive weapons seasons, which limits access.

Highlights:

• On March 4, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted comments to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (Commission) urging them to amend what constitutes a legal firearm during primitive firearms season in the proposed hunting regulations for the 2025 – 2027 seasons.
• On March 6, the Commission unanimously motioned to amend the rules to match the suggestions put forth by CSF.
• The proposed change will be open to public comment through the end of April, and the Commission will take their final vote during their May 2025 meeting. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will conduct a public hearing on all amendments to the hunting regulations NOI April 22 at 10 a.m. at LDWF Headquarters in Baton Rouge.

The changes that CSF proposed to the Commission pertained to §111 General and Wildlife Management Area Hunting Rules – Legal Firearms for Primitive Firearms Season. Specifically, they were as follows:

“i. Rifles or pistols, .44 caliber minimum, or shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, all of which are designed to have projectiles, ball, shot, or bullet, including saboted bullets, loaded exclusively through the muzzle, or the muzzle end of the cylinder chamber, and is fired by wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap, or centerfire primer must load exclusively from the muzzle, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball, shot, or bullet projectile only, including saboted bullets, and may be fitted with magnified scopes.

With these suggested changes, and upon final approval by the Commission, Louisiana would join 26 other states, including other southern states such as Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, that have recently recognized the advancements in muzzle-loading technology. In addition to expanding opportunities during the primitive firearms seasons, allowing for the use of this new technology helps eliminate inconsistency in presently authorized muzzleloaders, such as user-caused variances in powder loads, while also improving safety by eliminating the chance of the user inadvertently double charging the propellant.

CSF applauds the Commission for taking this step and looks forward to continuing to push the needle on this initiative.

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