Or. Admin. R. 635-065-0705 - Muzzleloading Rifles - Requirements

During controlled muzzleloader only seasons:

(1) Hunters shall use any long gun that:

(a) Is fired from the shoulder;

(b) Is loaded from the muzzle;

(c) Is a single shot except for muzzleloading shotguns that may be double barreled;

(d) Scopes (permanent or detachable), and sights that use batteries, artificial light or power, are not allowed during muzzleloader-only seasons or during 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction of "shotgun/muzzleloader only" or "archery/muzzleloader only". However, this restriction does not apply to a visually impaired hunter who has a visual acuity of [GREATER THAN EQAL TO]20/200 with lenses or visual field of [GREATER THAN EQAL TO] 20 degrees, provided that the hunter holds an Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit. Open and peep sights made from alloys, plastic, or other materials that do not have the properties described above are legal. Open or iron sights that make use of fiber optics or fluorescent paint are also legal.

(2) During muzzleloader-only seasons and 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction of shotgun/muzzleloader only or archery/muzzleloader only, it is illegal to hunt with or have in possession while hunting, sabots, or bullets with plastic or synthetic parts. Cloth, paper or felt patches are allowed.

(3) Hunters shall use only flint or percussion caps as a source of ignition.

(4) Hunters shall use only loose or granular black powder or black powder substitutes as propellants.

(5) Any .40 calibers or larger muzzleloader as described in OAR 635-065-0705(1)-(4) to hunt pronghorn antelope, black bear, cougar, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, or deer.

(6) Any .50 caliber or larger muzzleloader as described in OAR 635-065-0705(1)-(4) to hunt elk.

(7) Hunters shall use only number 1 or larger buckshot or bullets as described in OAR 635-065-0705(2) for hunting deer, black bear or cougar.

(8) Hunters shall use only single projectiles as described in OAR 635-065-0705(2) for hunting pronghorn antelope, elk, bighorn sheep, or Rocky Mountain goat.

(9) Hunters may only use a legal muzzleloading firearm as described in OAR 635-065-0705. During centerfire firearms seasons where muzzleloaders are also a legal firearm, hunters may:

(a) Use any .40 caliber or larger muzzleloading firearm to hunt pronghorn antelope, black bear, cougar, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, or deer.

(b) Use any .50 caliber or larger muzzleloading firearm to hunt elk.

(c) Use any muzzleloader ignition type (excepting matchlock), any sight, any propellant, or any bullet type.

Notes

Or. Admin. R. 635-065-0705

FWC 123, f. & ef. 6-9-77; FWC 28-1979, f. & ef. 8-2-79; FWC 33-1980, f. & ef. 6-30-80; FWC 6-1981, f. & ef. 1-23-81; FWC 11-1981, f. & ef. 3-31-81; FWC 20-1981, f. & ef. 6-19-81; FWC 21-1982, f. & ef. 3-31-82; FWC 37-1982, f. & ef. 6-25-82; FWC 15-1983, f. & ef. 4-19-83; FWC 28, f. & ef. 7-8-83; FWC 34-1984, f. & ef. 7-24-84; FWC 21-1985, f. & ef. 5-7-85; FWC 43-1985, f. & ef. 8-22-85; FWC 11-1987, f. & ef. 3-6-87; FWC 38-1988, f. & cert. ef. 6-13-88; FWC 15-1989, f. & cert. ef. 3-28-89; FWC 63-1989, f. & cert. ef. 8-15-89; FWC 18-1994, f. 3-30-94, cert. ef. 5-1-94; FWC 9-1997, f. & cert. ef. 2-27-97; FWC 71-1997, f. & cert. ef. 12-29-97; DFW 49-1998, f. & cert. ef. 6-22-98; DFW 1-1999, f. & cert. ef. 1-14-99; DFW 92-1999, f. 12-8-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DFW 82-2000, f. 12-21-00, cert. ef. 1-1-01; DFW 85-2003(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-27-03 thru 2-23-04; DFW 118-2003, f. 12-4-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DFW 140-2009, f. 11-3-09, cert. ef. 1-1-10; DFW 168-2010, f. 12-29-10, cert. ef. 1-1-11; DFW 138-2013, f. & cert. ef. 12-20-13; DFW 125-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-26-14 thru 2-1-15; DFW 1-2015, f. & cert. ef. 1/6/2015; DFW 27-2019, amend filed 03/11/2019, effective 3/11/2019; DFW 180-2019, amend filed 12/19/2019, effective 12/19/2019; DFW 32-2021, amend filed 03/23/2021, effective 3/23/2021

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 496.012, 496.138, 496.146 & 496.162

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 496.012, 496.138, 496.146 & 496.162