Indiana Considers Allowing New Technology During Muzzleloader Season

Why It Matters: Advancement in muzzleloading technology has created a modern iteration of the classic firearm with enhanced safety and reliability without sacrificing the characteristics that have defined muzzleloader hunting for hundreds of years. Following a citizen petition that has the support of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Hoosiers may be able to more safely and consistently hunt during the muzzleloader season.

Highlights:

• Hoosier hunters submitted a citizen petition to allow for the use of modernized muzzleloading firearms.
• The Indiana Department of Natural Resources provided a report on the petition to the Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC), which the NRC unanimously accepted.
• This paves the way for formal rulemaking allowing for the use of modernized muzzleloaders during the muzzleloader season.
• The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has expressed its support to both the Indiana DNR and the NRC, and will continue that support throughout the rulemaking process.

Following the submission of a citizen petition in Indiana requesting that the state allow modernized iterations of the muzzleloader like the Traditions NitroFire® to be used during muzzleloader season, the Indiana DNR reported to the NRC, the rulemaking body in Indiana, that “the DNR supports the citizen’s petition request to allow the NitroFire™ muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season for deer hunting and will request approval to come back to the Natural Resources Commission with a rule proposal that would make this change…”

Modern muzzleloaders still require the projectile to be loaded through the muzzle, they still only accept one projectile at a time, and they have a similar effective range to muzzleloaders that have been traditionally authorized for use. They also eliminate a potential cause of inconsistency in traditional muzzleloaders – user-caused variances in powder charges. Eliminating this variable enhances the consistency and repeatability of muzzleloaders afield while simultaneously reducing risk of injury to the user caused by overloading or double charging the propellant.

Indiana is currently one of only a few Midwestern states that have not fully authorized modernized muzzleloaders to be used to take game during the state’s muzzleloading season. CSF will continue to support this regulatory change to promote safety and consistency while maintaining the classic experience of muzzleloader hunting.

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