Muzzleloaders’ Popularity Rises

Hunting with muzzleloaders has become more popular in Washington since 1984, when hunters first had to choose one kind of hunting weapon.

Attractive seasons are one of the reasons for the increase, said Jim Reick, who tracks hunting statistics for the state Fish and Wildlife Department. Southwestern Washington has more muzzleloading opportunities than any other area in the state, he said. Muzzleloaders also enjoy relative solitude during their special seasons.

In 1994, Washington sold 9,640 muzzleloader deer-hunting permits, compared with 20,855 archery deer permits and 153,241 modern rifle permits. About 30 percent of the muzzleloader hunters bagged their deer - the highest success rate of any group.

Among 1994 elk hunters, 10,361 used muzzleloaders, 15,289 were archers, and 54,647 were hunters using modern rifles. Success rates were 10 percent for archers, 12 percent for muzzleloaders, and 13 percent for rifle hunters.

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