Congratulations are in order for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Commission. In a 4-3 vote yesterday, that Commission legalized the use of a riflescope during the early muzzleloader deer season. Scopes were already allowed during the late muzzleloader seaason.

This makes Kansas the 38th state to allow the use of magnifying rifle sights during the special muzzleloader seasons. The NORTH AMERICAN MUZZLELOADER HUNTING ASSOCIATION hopes that the remaining states with very discriminatory "no scopes" muzzleloader hunting regulations will also be open minded enough to eliminate restrictions that make it impossible for ethical older hunters with natural age-related sight impairment from enjoying the muzzleloader seasons.

To require all hunters to use open sights during these seasons violates Federal discrimination laws. It is time to give the hunter the right of choice - to use a scope or not use a scope.

A magnifying riflescope is still prohibited during the muzzleloader seasons in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

The Great Plains U.S. Forum has 253 Active Topics

• Antelope hunting in northwest South Dako
• New to Oklahoma, Looking for hunting par
• TIPTON, KS UNIT 7????
• South Dakota / North Dakota Pronghorn 2
• Hunting NE ?'s

Georgia Hog Hunt Success
My first hog hunt was truly a day I will never forget. It was Saturday January 17, 2009 and, according to The Weather Channel, the coldest it's been in our area in three years. We were camping on the Altamaha River with a group of friends. I was wearing several layers of clothing, but it was still very cold. My husband and I walked for a couple of hours in the morning and only saw one raccoon although we saw lots of sign that hogs were in the area.