[unixfox]

hundreds of hunters armed with shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles tromped through a foot of snow...

If I'm going after bear I damn sure wouldn't use a shotgun or a muzzle rifle. I think the idiot who wrote this doesn't know jack about hunting or guns. Typical liberal of course.

[green iguana]

It appears that shotguns with slugs or muzzleloaders are the only firearms allowed in the hunt. This happens a lot in public hunts here in Texas when the 'wilderness area' the hunt is in is close to populated areas.

[SJackson]

If I'm going after bear I damn sure wouldn't use a shotgun or a muzzle rifle. I think the idiot who wrote this doesn't know jack about hunting or guns. Typical liberal of course.

Either can be quite effective. It's likely a state regulation, not uncommon in states with high population density.

[ZULU]

You can bag a bear quite well with a muzzle-loader of the proper caliber and charge.

Hawken Rifles run up to .54 or .60 caliber and can take cahrges well in excess of 100 grains of black powder.
I have a .54 caliber Hawken I built and proffed it with two balls and 150 grains of black powder. Lots of bears, including grizzlies, were taken with them. I also have a .58 caliber Enfield rifle that fires a 500 plus grain mini ball. It mushrooms out to over an 1 inch across when it hits a target. No doubt at all in my mind I could take a bear with it.

A rifled slug in a shotgun would have no problem in taking a bear.

[GladesGuru]

This hunt is in New Jersey, a state with a very high population density and a high bear population. The use of shotguns and/or muzzle loaders is a mechanism to reduce the possible shootings of humans.

It is also an Eastern tradition evolved to reduce the creation of expensive holes in private property (buildings, cars, livestock) when hunting in densly populated areas with thick brush/limited visibility.

My .300 Wby was built for long range hunting, which isn't the norm back East. Shotguns with 00 buckshot are both very effective and strictly a short range weapon, ideally suited for the New Jersey conditions.

The muzzle loaders used are not .50 cal. Sharps buffalo guns, either. As for a presstitute being a liberal - might I ask if 'liberal writer' isn't a bit redundant?

[Lee Heggy]

From 'October Country' on 'The Great American Sporting Rifle' which they manufacture. Just one of many similar rifles that will definitely take down a bear.

"One of the most powerful traditional rifles manufactured today. It is built along the lines suggested by Lt. James Forsythe in his book, THE SPORTING RIFLE AND ITS PROJECTILES. The rifle has demonstrated its prowess on both the North American and the African continents. It has provided one shot kills on everything from elk and bear to eland and Cape buffalo. The barrel utilizes shallow groove, slow twist (1:104) rifling which delivers a round ball at speeds up to 2,000 fps (.62 cal) and muzzle energy in excess of TWO tons (.72 cal), depending on caliber, powder charge and barrel length. The standard rifle features a walnut stock and a 28" octagonal barrel, which is tapered from 1¼" to 1". It has a steel beed front sight and a shallow "V" rear sight. Other sight options are available, as is hand cut checkering. The two piece breech plug is of classic English design and is drilled ¼ - 28. A standard #11 nipple is provided, although musket ignition is a low cost option. We use the L & R Shotgun/English rifle lock and a side or rain bar over the lock. The rifle is all iron mounted, and is finished in a hot blue, matte finish. It is 45 inches long, weighs 10 pounds and is available in .62, .66, .69 and .72 caliber.

[FreedomPoster]

In addition to the other responses, which cover the technical and legal issues well, please note that the Civil War was fought almost entirely with muzzle-loading rifles, and was the bloodiest war of our history.

.50 Caliber slugs are nasty business, and the modern muzzle-loader with saboted loads is pretty darn accurate and effective.

[looscnnn]

State probably only allows shotguns and muzzle-loaders to to the population density. When I was growing up in MI, there was a line that divided the rifle from the shotgun zones. I think it still is in affect today.

[Stopislamnow]

Both are suitable. Most muzzleloaders are .50 cal. Both require moving in closer than normal.

Wonder why they didn't allow bows.