Muzzleloader Questions

When is the special muzzleloader season?

It runs for 10 consecutive days immediately following the regular gun deer season.

During the special muzzleloader season, where is muzzleloader hunting allowed?

The 10 day muzzleloader season will be held statewide except in state parks and units where Hunter's Choice or bonus permits are not available.

For the purpose of the special muzzleloader season, what is the definition of a muzzleloader?

Any .45 caliber (or larger) smooth bore or .40 caliber (or larger) rifled bore muzzleloading firearm discharged from the shoulder having a solid breech plug attached with threads, capable of being loaded only from the muzzle and using black powder or black powder substitute. Inline muzzleloaders are legal.

Black powder firearms that use metallic cartridges or load through the cylinder face are legal for small game hunting only or during the regular 9 day deer season.

Which caliber muzzleloaders are legal for deer or bear hunting?

For all deer and bear hunting in Wisconsin, a muzzleloader with a smoothbore must be at least .45 caliber and a muzzleloader with a rifled barrel must be at least .40 caliber.

Can my muzzleloader have a scope?

For the purposes of the special muzzleloader deer season, a muzzleloader may not have an attached telescopic sight. A telescopic sight is any device that is capable of magnification. Examples are: 1-5 power variables, 2-8 variables, 3-9 variables, or 4 power fixed. All of these are capable of magnification. Any device that is 1 power only is not deemed a telescopic sight. Caution: a 1-5 power telescopic sight set on "1" power is still a telescopic sight.

During the regular 9-day gun deer season, a scope on a muzzleloader is legal.

Do I have to fire my muzzleloader to unload it? When is a muzzleloader considered "unloaded"?

Muzzleloaders are considered unloaded if the cap is removed from a percussion muzzleloader or the flashpan is cleaned on a flintlock muzzleloader; the ball and powder can remain in the barrel.