NEW MEXICO Seasons: Check state regulations Regulations At A Glance: Any number of barrels 45 caliber or larger rifles and smoothbores; no handguns; in-line firearms, 209 primers and standard sighting systems legal. https://www.wildlife.nm.state.us NEW YORK Seasons: Dec. 8-16 (check state zones) Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; one barrel; handguns legal; no restrictions on powders, primers, projectiles or sights. https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28604.html Outdoor Life Online Editor
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
ALABAMA Seasons: Nov. 17-21; Jan. 8-24 (check regulations for county information) Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum for rifle, smoothbore or pistol; no powder restrictions; multiple-barrels lawful. https://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/season-limits/ ALASKA Seasons: Check state zones Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum rifles and smoothbores; handguns not lawful; telescopic sights cannot be used; multiple barrels legal; no powder restrictions. https://www.wildlife.alaska.gov Outdoor Life Online EditorARKANSAS Seasons: Dec. 13-15; 29-31 (check state zones) Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum all firearms; 18-inch minimum barrel; 200-grain projectile minimum; handguns lawful. https://www.agfc.com/hunting/deer/seasondates-deer.aspx ARIZONA Seasons: Check state zones Regulations At A Glance: Smoothbores, rifles and handguns legal; one barrel firearms; all standard muzzleloader actions, projectiles and sighting systems allowed. https://www.azgfd.com Outdoor Life Online EditorCALIFORNIA Seasons: Check state zones Regulations At A Glance: No handguns; 40 caliber minimum rifles and smoothbores; no fiber-optic nor telescopic sights. https://www.dfg.ca.gov COLORADO Seasons: Sept. 13-21 Regulations At A Glance: Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to firearm during muzzleloading seasons; no telescopic sights or sabots; .40 caliber minimum; 170-grain minimum projectile. https://www.wildlife.state.co.us Outdoor Life Online EditorCONNECTICUT Seasons: Dec. 10-23 Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum smoothbore and rifle; any number of barrels; no handguns; no powder restrictions. https://www.dep.state.ct.us DELAWARE Seasons: Oct. 10-18; Jan. 24-31 Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum for rifles; smoothbores and handguns not lawful; only one barrel at least 20-inches; no jacketed projectiles. https://www.dnrec.state.de.us Outdoor Life Online EditorFLORIDA Seasons: Northwest Region – Nov. 21-23, Feb. 19-Mar. 1; Central Region – Oct. 25-Nov. 2; South Region – Oct. 11-19 Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles; 20-gauge minimum smoothbores; sabots, jacketed projectiles legal; fiber-optic and telescopic sights lawful. https://www.myfwc.com GEORGIA Seasons: Oct. 11-17 Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores and handguns; up to two barrels at least 18 inches long; sabots, conical bullets and 209 primers legal. https://www.gohuntgeorgia.com Outdoor Life Online EditorHAWAII Seasons: Lanai Axis deer, Mar. 7-14 (check state zones) Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum with up to two barrels; no powder restrictions; fiber-optic and telescopic okay. https://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr IDAHO Seasons: Sept. 8-30 (check state regulations, zones) Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber rifle minimum, 50 caliber for smoothbores; up to two barrels lawful; no 209 primers or telescopic sights; no handguns. https://www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/ Outdoor Life Online EditorILLINOIS Seasons: Dec. 4-7; Dec. 12-14 Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum rifles, 20-gauge minimum smoothbores; two barrels lawful at least 16 inches; handguns, fiber-optic and telescopic sights legal. https://www.dnr.state.il.us INDIANA Seasons: Dec. 6-21 Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; handguns legal; no powder restriction; 12-inch minimum barrel. Outdoor Life Online EditorIOWA Seasons: Dec. 22-Jan. 10 Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; .775 caliber maximum rifles; 4-inch minimum barrel length; handguns legal; no powder restrictions. https://www.iowadnr.gov KANSAS Seasons: Jan. 1-11 (check regulations for open units) Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; handguns, in-line action firearms and 209 primers legal; no telescopic sights. https://www.kdwp.state.ks.us Outdoor Life Online EditorKENTUCKY Seasons: Oct. 18-19; Dec. 13-21 Regulations At A Glance: 50 caliber minimum pistols, rifles and smoothbores; any number barrels legal; no powder nor gun sighting restrictions. https://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/ LOUISIANA Seasons: Area 1 ¿ Nov. 8-14, Jan. 19-25; Area 2 ¿ Jan. 12-18; Area 3 ¿ Dec. 1-5; Area 4 ¿ Nov. 1-7, Jan. 5-12; Area 5 ¿ Nov. 8-14, Dec. 26-Jan. 1; Area 6 ¿ Nov. 8-14; Area 7 ¿ Nov. 1-7; Area 8 ¿ Dec. 1-5. Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum rifle, pistol, smoothbores; any number barrels; no powder nor sighting restrictions. https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/ Outdoor Life Online EditorMAINE Seasons: Dec. 1-6 (statewide); Dec. 8-13 (WMDs 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29) Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum for smoothbores, rifles; no handguns; one barrel lawful; no sight restrictions. https://www.state.me.us/ifw/hunting MARYLAND Seasons: Dec. 20-Jan. 3 (check regulations) Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; handguns lawful; no restrictions on gun sights, projectiles or primers. https://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide Outdoor Life Online EditorMASSACHUSETTS Seasons: Dec. 15-31 Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; no handguns; .775 maximum caliber for rifles; one barrel at least 18-inches. https://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/hunting/deer MICHIGAN Seasons: Zone 1 – Dec. 5-14; Zone 2 ¿ Dec. 12-21; Zone 3 ¿ Dec. 5-21. Regulations At A Glance: Any number of barrels lawful; handguns legal; no 209 primers nor close-breach in-line actions. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr Outdoor Life Online EditorMINNESOTA Seasons: Nov. 29-Dec. 14 Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber rifle minimum, 45 caliber minimum smoothbore; no scope sights; fiber-optic sights legal. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us MISSISSIPPI Seasons: Dec. 2-15 Regulations At A Glance: 38 caliber rifle minimum; up to two barrels legal; no handguns; no restrictions on sights, projectiles or primers. https://www.mdwfp.com Outdoor Life Online EditorMISSOURI Seasons: Nov. 28-Dec. 7 Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores, handguns; up to three barrels; no restrictions on powders, primers, projectiles, sights nor muzzleloader actions. https://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/deer MONTANA Seasons: Oct. 26-Nov. 30 (check regulations for specifics) Regulations At A Glance: No special muzzleloader season; 45 caliber minimum rifles and smoothbores; up to two barrels legal; no powder restrictions; no sabots nor jacketed projectiles. https://www.fwp.mt.gov/hunting/seasons/ Outdoor Life Online EditorNEBRASKA Seasons: Dec. 1-31 Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum rifles; 62 caliber minimum smoothbores; no scopes; no powder restrictions. https://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/guides/biggame/ NEVADA Seasons: Check state regulations Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum rifles and smoothbores; only one barrel legal; no handguns; no restrictions on powder, primers, in-lines guns or sight systems. https://www.ndow.org Outdoor Life Online EditorNEW HAMPSHIRE Seasons: Nov. 1-11 (check state zones) Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, handguns and smoothbores; one barrel; no powder restrictions; 209 primers, fiber-optic and telescopic sights legal. https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us NEW JERSEY Seasons: Dec. 1-Jan. 9 (check state zones) Regulations At A Glance: 44 minimum caliber rifle; 20 gauge minimum smoothbores; one barrel at least 18 inches; no handguns; no restrictions on gun sights, projectiles or primers. https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/njregs.htm#hunting Outdoor Life Online EditorNORTH DAKOTA Seasons: Nov. 28-Dec. 14 Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum rifles, pistols and smoothbores; 16-inch minimum barrel; no telescopic sights. https://www.gf.nd.gov OHIO Seasons: Dec. 27-30 Regulations At A Glance: 38 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; no handguns; any number of barrels at least 18.5-inches legal; no restrictions on powders, primers, projectiles or sights. https://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/dow/regulations/seasons Outdoor Life Online EditorOKLAHOMA Seasons: Oct. 25-Nov. 2 Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, 20-gauge smoothbores; two barrels, 209 primers, telescopic and fiber-optic sights lawful; no powder restrictions. https://www.outdoorcentral.com/hunting OREGON Seasons: Check state regulations. Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum smoothbores, rifles; no handguns; no 209 primers, fiber-optic or telescopic sights; no sabots nor jacketed projectiles. https://www.dfw.state.or.us Outdoor Life Online EditorPENNSYLVANIA Seasons: Dec. 26-Jan. 10 (flintlock-only season) Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum rifle, smoothbore; one barrel; no pistols; no caplock nor in-line actions; no telescopic sights, fiber-optics legal; no powder restrictions. https://www.pgc.state.pa.us/ RHODE ISLAND Seasons: Nov. 2-29 Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum rifles, .50 caliber smoothbores; two barrels legal; handguns and fiber-optic sights unlawful. https://www.dem.state.ri.us Outdoor Life Online EditorSOUTH CAROLINA Seasons: Oct. 1-Jan. 1 (check state game zones) Regulations At A Glance: 36 caliber minimum rifles, 20-gauge minimum smoothbore; handguns legal; no restrictions on primers, projectiles, sights, or muzzleloader types. https://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/huntingregs SOUTH DAKOTA Seasons: Dec. 13-Jan. 31 Regulations At A Glance: 44 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; any number of barrels; no scopes; no handguns; all muzzleloader type actions are lawful. https://www.sdgfp.info/wildlife/hunting/BigGame/Muzzleloaderdeer Outdoor Life Online EditorTENNESSEE Seasons: Nov. 1-9; Dec. 8-14 Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, handguns, smoothbores; any number of barrels legal; no restrictions on primers, powders, projectiles, sights, nor muzzleloader types. https://www.state.tn.us/twra/deerseasons TEXAS Seasons: Jan. 10-18 (23 counties, see state regulations) Regulations At A Glance: No telescopic sights nor powder restrictions; handguns, rifles and smoothbores legal with any number of barrels; all muzzleloader actions lawful. https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/season/animal_listing/#whiteTailDeer Outdoor Life Online EditorUTAH Seasons: Check state regulations. Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; one barrel only; no handguns; all standard muzzleloader actions, projectiles and sighting systems lawful. VERMONT Seasons: Dec. 6-14 Regulations At A Glance: 43 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores and pistols; only one barrel, 20-inch minimum rifles, 10-inches pistols; all standard muzzleloader actions, projectiles and sighting systems lawful. https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/ Outdoor Life Online EditorVIRGINIA Seasons: Nov. 1-9; Dec. 13-Jan. 3 Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum rifles; one barrel; no handguns; all standard muzzleloader actions, projectiles and sighting systems lawful. https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/deer WASHINGTON Seasons: Nov. 19 or 20 (check state regulations). Regulations At A Glance: 45 caliber minimum rifles with one barrel at least 20 inches long; no 209 primers or telescopic sights; no handguns; no jacketed projectiles. https://www.wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/seasons Outdoor Life Online EditorWEST VIRGINIA Seasons: Dec. 15-20 (check state zones) Regulations At A Glance: 38 caliber minimum rifles, handguns and smoothbores; no powder restriction; one barrel only; telescopic and fiber-optic sights lawful. https://www.wvdnr.gov/Regulations/hunting_hrDeerMuzz.shtm WISCONSIN Seasons: Dec. 1-10 Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, smoothbores; no handguns; 209 primers, fiber-optic and scope sights legal. https://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/regs Outdoor Life Online EditorWYOMING Seasons: Dec. 15-20 Regulations At A Glance: 40 caliber minimum rifles, pistols and smoothbores with at least a 10-inch barrel; all standard muzzleloader actions, projectiles and sighting systems lawful. https://www.wvdnr.gov/Regulations/hunting Editor's Note: Because muzzleloading seasons regulations change often, you are urged to visit your state's website before heading afield. Outdoor Life Online Editor
Ever wished for a guidebook to help you keep track of the ever-changing muzzleloading regulations? Well, wish no more because here it is. By Bob McNally.
