Posted By: BillS2008
New Mexico Muzzleloader Hunting Law change - 09/13/23 11:38 AM
New Mexico hunters who take to the field in designated muzzleloader seasons will no longer be able to use scope sights on their guns, the state game commission voted Friday.
On the muzzleloader issue, the commission voted to approve a new, four-year “manner and method” rule setting regulations on hunting equipment. It also gave final approval to rules governing elk and deer hunting. Earlier this year, it approved rules for pronghorn, bighorn sheep and exotic species.
All the rules specify that hunters in designated muzzleloader hunts may not use scope sights. Hunters may continue to use scoped muzzleloaders in “any-legal-weapon” hunts that are also open for use with centerfire rifles.
Stewart Liley, head biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, told commissioners on Friday that recent improvements in muzzleloader technology have made the guns nearly as efficient as centerfire rifles. If the commission wanted to continue to allow the use of scoped muzzleloaders in designated muzzleloader seasons, he said the commission would have to reduce the number of permits it offers to avoid unsustainable losses to game herds.
“What we’re seeing biologically is that the harvest is going to be unsustainable,” Liley said of the prospect of continuing to allow scoped muzzleloaders during designated muzzleloader seasons.
Liley said he expects that loss of animals to wounding by muzzleloaders may decrease under the prohibition against scoped muzzleloaders. Although scopes allow hunters to hit animals at long range, he said the animals may not give any indication that they’ve been hit so hunters may not follow up all their shots.
Commissioner Roberta Salazar-Henry cast the lone votes against the change on muzzleloaders. She said she was dissatisfied with the game department’s public education efforts on the issue and said she was concerned that 17,000 muzzleloader hunters will find out next year that they don’t have a chance to use their scoped muzzleloaders anymore.
On the muzzleloader issue, the commission voted to approve a new, four-year “manner and method” rule setting regulations on hunting equipment. It also gave final approval to rules governing elk and deer hunting. Earlier this year, it approved rules for pronghorn, bighorn sheep and exotic species.
All the rules specify that hunters in designated muzzleloader hunts may not use scope sights. Hunters may continue to use scoped muzzleloaders in “any-legal-weapon” hunts that are also open for use with centerfire rifles.
Stewart Liley, head biologist for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, told commissioners on Friday that recent improvements in muzzleloader technology have made the guns nearly as efficient as centerfire rifles. If the commission wanted to continue to allow the use of scoped muzzleloaders in designated muzzleloader seasons, he said the commission would have to reduce the number of permits it offers to avoid unsustainable losses to game herds.
“What we’re seeing biologically is that the harvest is going to be unsustainable,” Liley said of the prospect of continuing to allow scoped muzzleloaders during designated muzzleloader seasons.
Liley said he expects that loss of animals to wounding by muzzleloaders may decrease under the prohibition against scoped muzzleloaders. Although scopes allow hunters to hit animals at long range, he said the animals may not give any indication that they’ve been hit so hunters may not follow up all their shots.
Commissioner Roberta Salazar-Henry cast the lone votes against the change on muzzleloaders. She said she was dissatisfied with the game department’s public education efforts on the issue and said she was concerned that 17,000 muzzleloader hunters will find out next year that they don’t have a chance to use their scoped muzzleloaders anymore.