Hunters wishing to hunt in a weapons restricted area in Alaska must successfully complete a course for the weapon with which they will be hunting, which includes a muzzleloader certification course. 

Hunters may not hunt with a muzzleloader in any hunt or area with weapon restrictions for the taking of big game unless you have successfully completed a muzzleloader hunter education course that includes ballistic limitations of muzzleloading weapons and a proficiency test. A hunter who applies for a “certified muzzleloader hunter only” permit hunt must have successfully completed a muzzleloader certification course prior to submitting a permit application.

Hunters may not:

• Hunt big game with a muzzleloader unless it is a shoulder mounted long gun, .45 caliber or larger, with a barrel that is either rifled or smooth bore, and discharges a single projectile. 

• Hunt big game with a muzzeloader equipped with a scope, or a muzzleloader using smokeless powder as a charge, during any permitted, registered or special season hunt for muzzleloaders only. 

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Muzzleloaders must be wheellock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion type, including “in-line” muzzleloading rifles using black powder or equivalent black powder substitute, including pellets, with a single projectile loaded from the muzzle and at least .40 caliber in designation. Under the regulations of a muzzleloading rifle only tag, hunters may only possess muzzleloading rifles with open or “peep” type sights only, except as described in the subsection. Lead free bullets must be used.

The department may issue a Disabled Muzzleloader Scope Permit, free of any charge or fee, to any person with a physical disability, as defined in subsection (m), which prevents him/her from being able to focus on the target utilizing muzzleloading rifles equipped with open or “peep” sights. The Disabled Muzzleloader Scope Permit authorizes the disabled hunter to use a 1X scope on a muzzleloading rifle, as described in subsection (h), with a muzzleloading rifle only tag.

Unless provided in these regulations or any other law, it is unlawful to possess a loaded muzzleloading firearm in any vehicle or conveyance or its attachments which is standing on or along or is being driven on or along any public road or highway or other way open to the public. For the purposes of this section, a muzzleloading firearm shall be deemed to be loaded when it is capped or primed or has an electronic or other ignition device attached and has a powder charge and projectile or shot in the barrel or cylinder.

Only legal muzzleloaders are allowed in muzzleloading seasons. In-line muzzleloaders are legal. Must be a single barrel that fires a single round ball or conical projectile. To hunt deer, pronghorn or bear, conical bullets must be a minimum of .40 caliber, and round-ball bullets must be a minimum of .50 caliber.To hunt elk or moose, conical bullets must be a minimum of .50 caliber, and round-ball bullets must be a minimum of .54 caliber.

From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh a minimum of 170 grains. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh a minimum of 210 grains. Shotshell primers and B.O.R. Lock MZ System bullets are legal. Pelletized powder systems are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. Sabots are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are not sabots. Smokeless powder is prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black powder and black-powder substitutes are legal. 

Cannot be loaded from the breech during muzzleloading seasons. Only open or iron sights are allowed in muzzleloading seasons. Fiber optics and fluorescent paint incorporated into or on open or iron sights are legal. Scopes or any sighting device using artificial light, batteries and electronic gear are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to a muzzleloader during muzzleloading seasons.

Any person hunting in a muzzleloader only season, including controlled hunts, must have in their possession a license with a muzzleloader permit validation. During a muzzleloader-only season, it is illegal to pursue or kill a big game animal with any firearm, muzzleloading pistol, or weapon other than a muzzleloading rifle or musket. In addition, the muzzleloading rifle or musket must be:

• Capable of being loaded only from the muzzle.

• Equipped with only open or peep sights. Scopes and any electronics are prohibited, except hunters with a visual disability may apply for a Reasonable Modification Permit to use non-magnifying or up to 4x power scopes. Application available at Fish and Game regional offices, see page 4.

• Loaded only with loose black powder, loose Pyrodex, or other loose synthetic black powder. Pelletized powders are prohibited.

• Equipped with a single or double-barrel.

• Loaded with a projectile that is within .010 inch of the bore diameter. Sabots are prohibited.

• Loaded with a patched round ball or conical metal or metal alloy projectile with the exception of allowance of accuracy tips and pressure bases.

• Equipped only with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap. 209 primers are prohibited.

• Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of the cap is exposed when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire.

Muzzleloaders may be used during a short-range weapon only season with the following regulations:

• Muzzleloaders at least forty-five (0.45) caliber for deer, pronghorn, mountain lion, or gray wolf, or at least fifty (0.50) caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or black bear.

In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and short-range hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals with any muzzleloading rifle or musket that is less than .45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, mountain lion or gray wolf; or is less than .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or black bear.

Muzzleloading rifles, pistols and muskets that can be loaded only through the front of the firing chamber with separate components and that fire a bullet of .40 inches in diameter or larger. Only hard-cast solid lead, conical lead, or saboted bullets may be used with muzzleloading rifles, pistols and muskets. 

Range-finding devices and optical scopes or sights that project no visible light toward the target and do not electronically amplify visible or infrared light may be used with any equipment.

Riflescopes are legal.

Montana's regulations can be more confusing with the recently added Heritage Season. The general muzzleloading regulations are that muzzleloaders:

• Must not be capable of being loaded from the breech of the barrel;

• May not be loaded with any pre-prepared paper or metallic cartridges; 

• Must be charged with black powder, pyrodex, or an equivalent; 

• Must be ignited by a percussion, flintlock, matchlock, 209 primer, or wheelock mechanism; 

• Must be a minimum of .45 caliber; 

• May have no more than two barrels;

The Muzzleloader Heritage Season further limits the use of muzzleloaders with the following provisions:

• During this season, hunters may only use plain lead projectiles and a muzzleloading rifle that is charged with loose black powder, loose pyrodex, or an equivalent loose black powder substitute, and ignited by a flintlock, wheel lock, matchlock, or percussion mechanism using a percussion or musket cap. The muzzleloading rifle must be a minimum of .45 caliber and may not have more than two barrels. Additionally, a hunter may not use a muzzleloading rifle that requires insertion of a cap or primer into the open breech of the barrel, is capable of being loaded from the breech, or is mounted with an optical magnification device. Use of prepared paper or metallic cartridges, sabots, gas checks, or other similar power and range-enhancing manufactured loads that enclose the projectile from the rifling or bore of the firearm is also prohibited.

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During a type of hunt that is restricted to muzzle-loading firearms, a person may hunt a big game mammal only with a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading musket, and may use only a lead ball, a lead bullet, a semi-jacketed bullet or a metal alloy bullet that expands. Only black powder or a black powder substitute may be used as a propellant. A sabot round may be used. The muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading musket must have the following characteristics:

• A wheel lock, matchlock or flintlock ignition system, or a percussion ignition system that uses a primer or percussion cap;

• A single barrel of caliber .45 or larger;

• Open sights or peep sights. The use of a sight that is operated or powered by a battery, electronics or a radioactive isotope such as tritium is prohibited. 

• Scopes are not allowed, except: The Department may issue a scope permit to a person with a visual disability. The scope permit authorizes a person with a visual disability to hunt, during a type of hunt that is restricted to bows or muzzle-loading firearms, using a 1x magnification rifle scope that is mounted on a bow or muzzle-loading rifle. A person using such a permit shall present the permit upon the request of a law enforcement officer.

• The muzzle-loading rifle or the muzzle-loading musket is deemed to be not loaded if the priming compound or element, such as the priming powder or the unfired primer or percussion cap, is removed.

During a type of hunt in which the use of any legal weapon is authorized by a regulation of the Commission, a person may hunt a big game mammal with a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading musket only if:

• The muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading musket has:

• • A single barrel of caliber .45 or larger; and

• • Open sights, peep sights or a rifle scope.

• The person uses a lead ball, a lead bullet, a semi-jacketed bullet or a metal alloy bullet that expands. A sabot round may be used.

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Muzzleloader must be at least .45 caliber or larger. Hunters may use any legal muzzleloader with open or "iron" sights, any legal bow, or any legal crossbow during regular muzzleloader hunts. Scopes, red dots or other similar sights are not allowed on muzzleloaders during a muzzleloader hunt. Sabots and in-line ignition may be used with muzzleloaders except during restricted muzzleloader deer hunts. 

During restricted muzzleloader deer hunts only a muzzle-loading rifle using open sights, black powder or equivalent propellant and firing a full bore diameter bullet or patched round ball is legal. The use of in-line ignition, scopes, and smokeless powder are prohibited. Bows and crossbows are legal during restricted muzzleloader deer hunts.

During the North Dakota Muzzleloader Hunting Season, muzzleloading long guns of .45 caliber or larger, and handguns .50 caliber or larger, loaded through the muzzle, with flint or percussion ignition, firing black powder or black powder substitutes are legal. Smokeless powders are not legal.

Telescopic sights are prohibited. No magnification (1x) scopes are legal.

Muzzleloading rifles or single shot muzzleloader pistols must be .50 caliber or larger to hunt Elk/Moose/Sheep. For deer, muzzleloading rifles of .45 caliber or larger, are legal for deer.

“Muzzleloader” is any single barreled (shotguns may be double barreled) long gun meant to be fired from the shoulder and loaded from the muzzle with open or peep sights. This includes: in-line percussion; sidelock, under-hammer, top-hammer and mule ear percussion; sidelock flintlock and wheelock ignition systems. Matchlock ignition systems are not allowed.

A muzzleloader is unloaded  if it is not capped or primed.

In 2022, Oregon lifted the requirement of “open-ignition”. However, this is a minimal change as they still prohibit centerfire primers.

During muzzleloader only seasons and 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction of shotgun/muzzleloader only or archery/muzzleloader only it is unlawful to:

• Use scopes (permanent or detachable).

• Use sights that use batteries, artificial light or energy except for visually impaired hunters with a permit (see pg 28). Open and peep sights are legal, including open and peep sights with fiber optics or fluorescent paint on them.

• Hunt with or have in possession while hunting, sabots or bullets with plastic or synthetic parts. Cloth, paper or felt patches are allowed.

• Hunt with centerfire primers or matchlock as an ignition source.

• Hunt with pelletized powders or propellants. Granular (loose) black powder and black powder substitutes are the only legal propellants.

• Hunt with a revolving action muzzleloader.

During Any Legal Weapon seasons, hunters may use muzzleloaders with any ignition type (except matchlock), any legal sight or scope, any propellant, or any bullet type provided the weapon meets caliber restrictions for the species.

In seasons restricted to muzzleloading firearms, telescopic sights are not allowed. Telescopic sights are sights that utilize magnification. No person may hunt, shoot, shoot at, wound, kill or pursue any big game animal with any muzzleloading rifle which discharges a projectile less than .44 caliber.

Muzzleloading handguns must discharge a projectile of .50 caliber or larger.

A muzzleloader may be used during any big game hunt, except an archery hunt. A person who has obtained a muzzleloader permit for a big game hunt may use only muzzleloader equipment that meets the requirements below to take the species authorized in the permit:

• Has both the powder and bullet loaded from the muzzle;

• Has open sights, peep sights, or not more than a 1x scope or sight which contains no internal or external components that make it capable of magnifications;

• Has a single barrel;

• Has a minimum barrel length of 18 inches;

• Is capable of being fired only once without reloading;

• Powder and bullet, or powder, sabot and bullet are not bonded together as one unit for loading;

• Is loaded with black powder or black powder substitute, which must not contain smokeless powder; and

• Has no attachment capable of electronic function, other than illuminated reticles.

• A lead or expanding bullet or projectile of at least 40 caliber must be used to hunt big game.

• A bullet 130 grains or heavier, or a sabot 170 grains or heavier, must be used for taking deer and pronghorn.

• A 210 grain or heavier bullet must be used for taking elk, moose, bison, bighorn sheep, and Rocky Mountain goat, except sabot bullets used for taking these species must be a minimum of 240 grains.

A person who has obtained an any weapon permit for a big game hunt may:

• Use muzzleloader equipment authorized in this section; and

• Use a fixed or variable magnifying scope.

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A muzzleloading firearm shall be considered loaded if a powder charge and a projectile, either shot or single projectile are in the barrel and the barrel or breech is capped or primed.

It is unlawful to hunt wildlife using a muzzleloading firearm that does not meet the following specifications:

• A muzzleloading shotgun or rifle must have a single or double barrel, rifled or smooth-bored.

• A muzzleloading shotgun or rifle used for deer must be .40 caliber or larger. Buckshot size #1 or larger may be used in a smoothbore of .60 caliber or larger for deer.

• A muzzleloading shotgun, rifle, or handgun used for all other big game must be .45 caliber or larger.

• A muzzleloading handgun must have a single or double barrel of at least eight inches, must be rifled, and must be capable of being loaded with forty-five grains or more of black powder or black powder substitute per the manufacturer's recommendations. It is unlawful for any person to carry or have in his possession a modern firearm while in the field muzzleloader hunting, during an muzzleloader season specified for that area, except for modern handguns carried for personal protection.

• In addition to the above requirements, it is unlawful to participate (hunt) in a muzzleloading hunting season using a firearm that does not meet the following specifications for a muzzleloader. As in the past sabots are allowed. Any type of projectile is allowed.

• Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion. Primers designed to be used in modern cartridges are legal.

• Those persons lawfully hunting big game with a double barrel muzzleloader may only keep one barrel loaded.

• Sights must be open, peep, of other open sight design, or scopes not exceeding 1x magnification. Fiber optic sights are legal. Telescopic sights are prohibited.

• It is unlawful to have any electrical aiming device attached to a muzzleloading firearm while hunting except for red-dot or similar electronically powered scopes not exceeding 1x magnification.

• The exception is disabled hunters who are issued a Special Use Permit and are in compliance with the information found at www.eregulations.com/washington/hunting/persons-with-disabilities.

• Muzzleloading firearms used during a modern firearm season are not required to meet ignition, sight, or double barrel restrictions.

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“Muzzle-loading firearm” means a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber and firing an expanding point bullet or lead ball and using a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its equivalent. 

No person shall use any device attached to a legal firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment, capable of producing a thermal or infrared image, or other imaging outside the normal visible light spectrum, with the intent to spot, locate and aid in the taking of any big game animal, trophy game animal or wild bison.

Scopes are legal in Wyoming.