In a bit of a deviation from my information focused format, today I'm sharing some of my thoughts on muzzleloading news, trends and culture. I try to pose some questions and thoughts to get all of our gears turning to capitalize on the new year where we can.

Let me know your thoughts anytime in the comments or via email.

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2024 was generally light on muzzleloading news, apparently saving it for the last few weeks. In this edition of Muzzleloading News, we touch on the big stories of the end of 2025 and some exciting news coming from the first week of 2025.

Learn more at https://www.ilovemuzzleloading.com/ Click here to SUBSCRIBE - http://bit.ly/ILMvideo Videos also available on Utreon - https://utreon.com/c/ILoveMuzzleloading/

0:04 GOEX Updates, or lack thereof.

1:14 Percussion caps

5:21 Thompson/Center Updates

7:38 New Lock from L&R

9:02 InvestArm Quality Issues

11:18 Kibler Hawken Updates

13:07 Events Season

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Today I sit down with Alison and Tom Hall to talk about their history with muzzleloading, what Traditions is all about, and what they have planned for the future. Tom is a muzzleloading industry veteran, it was great to talk with him about contemporary muzzleloading history and about how the industry has changed since the 1970s.

Alison is the marketing manager for Traditions and brings her own perspective about the sport, its history and how the industry has changed. She shares the story of her first hunt and what it's like working in the muzzleloading industry.

I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support:

• ThorBullets - Visit ThorBullets.com to learn more.
• Muzzleloader Magazine - Visit MuzzleloaderMagazine.com to learn more

Get your own "I Love Muzzleloading" Hat here

Click here to SUBSCRIBE

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Today we talk with Alex from the Frontier Trading Company about his experience at the 2024 NMLRA Spring National Shoot, hear about his upcoming projects and discuss what his mindset is heading into hunting season.

I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support:

• ThorBullets - Visit ThorBullets.com to learn more.
• Muzzleloader Magazine - Visit MuzzleloaderMagazine.com to learn more

Get your own "I Love Muzzleloading" Hat here

Click here to SUBSCRIBE

Follow the Frontier Trading Company on Youtube

Check out the Frontier Trading Company Website

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Today we’re talking with Gregg Ritz about the long awaited return of Thompson/Center. Many, myself included thought the news of Thompson/Center’s divestment spelled out the end of the company and an American Legacy, but thatnks to Gregg and his team, that isn’t the case.

I’m asking Gregg some of the questions you want answered. We’re talking about timelines, production schedules, what will be made first, and when we can expect to see a Thompson/Center Hawken back in the hands of muzzleloading enthusiasts.

I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support:

• ThorBullets - Visit ThorBullets.com to learn more.
• Muzzleloader Magazine - Visit MuzzleloaderMagazine.com to learn more

Get your own "I Love Muzzleloading" Hat here

Click here to SUBSCRIBE

Gregg Ritz® is a highly respected household name in every arena of the outdoor industry. His extensive and diverse role in television has led to success in other avenues, including personality endorsement, brand management, mergers and acquisitions, and many other industry-shaping pursuits.

Gregg is also one of the industry’s most accomplished hunters, with a long list of record book-caliber accomplishments across the globe. For the past 30 years his dedication for adventure hunting is unmatched, his technical muzzleloading expertise and passion for archery is world renowned, his scouting and land management skills are second-to-none, and his use of innovative hunting tactics has made him an authority on big game hunting worldwide.

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In this episode, I talk with my wife Paisley about our first family living history experience, what we learned and what we plan on doing to improve our impression and equipment for next time. Paisley and I have day-tripped to events since we were dating but things never lined up with work to become participants at an event, that all changed this year where we are planning on being out almost 10 weekends in 2024.

We aren't professionals by any means and we are still learning, but we wanted to share some of the planning we did to do our best to make sure we, and our toddler had a great time in the 18th century.

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Brian LaMaster is a master gunsmith, craftsman, and artist. He handcrafts early rifles and fowlers, offers fine restorations, and is an expert in Kentucky rifle styles. An appraiser, consultant, advisor, restorer, creator, and historian, Brian’s knowledge, experience, and work is highly valued.

A true enthusiast, Brian’s interest in all guns is lifelong—and he believes every gun, in any condition, reveals something to be learned. In addition to 18th and 19th century rifles and fowlers, he collects bags, horns, tomahawks, swords, furniture, tools, and Native American trade guns. He learned under the tutelage of Keith Casteel in Woodstock, Virginia in 1985, becoming a full-time master gunsmith in 1992.

I'd like to thank our sponsors for their support:

• ThorBullets - Visit ThorBullets.com to learn more.
• Muzzleloader Magazine - Visit MuzzleloaderMagazine.com to learn more

Get your own "I Love Muzzleloading" Hat here

Click here to SUBSCRIBE

Vist Brian's Website - https://lamasterarms.com/

Brian's Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@LaMasterArms

Brian's Seminar from the 2023 Gunmakers Fair at Kempton - https://youtu.be/bq-DvvpTvDk?si=HkfTlyujHOVvtob6

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Today we're talking with artisan Kris Daman about his history in muzzleloading, how he got started and how that journey lead him to rediscovering some almost long lost artforms. Kris recreates the artwork many today don't have the stomach for, from skinning and tanning to weaving and more.

Follow Kris' work online: Instagram. madtanner67 , Facebook kris.daman.5

Links may include affiliate links that support the website

Fingerweaving article written by Tim Connin featured in "The Book of Buckskinning VI": https://amzn.to/3Jj3mdy

Chippewa Customs (Publications of the Minnesota Historical Society) Paperback – October 15, 1979https://amzn.to/4aBM4o7

“Without them there would be no smoking, Isaac Walters” - https://frenchinwisconsin.couleetech.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2013/03/Without-them-there-would-be-no-smoking-shared.pdf

Deerskin and Duffles - https://amzn.to/3w5Hxep

Give us good measure- https://amzn.to/3U35RWj

The Fur Trade in Canada: An Introduction to Canadian Economic History (The Canada 150 Collection) by Harold A. Innis - ttps://amzn.to/3UlsxCp

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Tentatively named "Hang Fire", this archive of a livestream talk with Jason Gatliff is a casual episode where we answer questions about muzzleloading, history and "what ifs" live from the audience.

Hang Fire is delayed ignition in a muzzleloader, I thought the word worked well for something like this that isn't "live", but still holds some fun conversation and learning opportunity. Like the format? Let us know via email @ [email protected] and follow us on instagram to be a part of the next one.

https://www.instagram.com/ilovemuzzleloading

I recognize the audio quality isn't the best, I'll be setting up better equipment for the next one.

This is in no way replacing our regular interviews, these are made in addition to the scheduled interviews.

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Idaho looks to be the target of pressures to open up it’s muzzleloading season.

This news story comes from a tip from the Idaho Wildlife Federation. For full transparency, they are against this bill.

Idaho Wildlife Federation Alert- https://idahowildlife.org/news/action-alert-ho469

Last fall, Idaho Fish and Game proposed a change to allow lead and non-lead projectiles in their muzzleloader season. While in committee to discuss the change, legislators reportedly felt the changes didn't do enough and have introduced HB 469 as an alternative change

HB 469 seeks to legislativly direct the IDFG to not adopt or enforcing any rule that makes it unlawful to use 209 primers, pelletized powder, or sabots in a muzzleloader-only season.

Initial perception - very round-about and forceful way to open up Idaho’s current muzzleloaders season via state legislature, not the IDFG.

The 2023 Edition of IDGF Big Game Seasons and Rules only uses the word “traditional” twice, not in reference to muzzleloaders. Idaho Fish and Game’s documentation never mentions the idea of historic preservation or traditional muzzleloading appreciation anywhere. This is important because that point is the key fulcrum of this argument here and across the United States.

(It could be argued that this conversation over words and meanings is happening across American Culture right now, but we’re going to stick to muzzle loading. Keep an eye out though in your day-to day life)

Based on Idaho’s rules, Idaho appears to have a more “traditionally” focused muzzleloader season but,

To be blunt, nothing in Idaho’s Fish and Game says anythign about keeping muzzleloading traditional, it’s a big ol’ legal hole in the “traditional” argument that can be driven through with a truck.

IDWF blog post on HB469 with an action alert,

BREAKING: Idaho Legislators Setting Seasons, Again — Idaho Wildlife Federation

ISWF Legislative Bill Tracker where people can see the bills relating to fish and wildlife, a little about them, our stance on each bill, and a signup for our weekly updates and action alerts for the 2024 session,

Idaho Bill Tracker — Idaho Wildlife Federation

This is the Idaho House Resources and Conservation Committee homepage. Agendas for meetings are listed here and there are links for people to sign up to testify in person or remotely during meetings, 

HRES – Idaho State Legislature

If people want to provide input on HB469 they can call the House Resources and Conservation Committee at (208)332-1136, or send an email to [email protected]

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