WHEREAS, Louisiana Deer Hunting Regulations presently allow for the use of the following primitive weapon (firearms) as described below:
– Rifles or pistols, .44 caliber minimum, or shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle or cap and ball cylinder, use black powder or approved substitute only, with single ball or bullet projectile only, including saboted bullets, including primitive firearms known as “in line” primitive firearms;
– Single shot, breech loading rifles, (.38 caliber or larger) of a kind or type manufactured prior to 1900 and replicas, reproductions or reintroductions of that type rifle having an exposed hammer that use metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder;
All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes, and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Wildlife Department Regulations for “Primitive Firearms” for the purpose of hunting deer are defined as:
– Single or double barreled muzzle-loading rifles of at least .38 caliber; single shot, breech loading, cartridge rifles .35 caliber or larger and replicas, reproductions or reintroductions of those type rifles; and single or double-barreled muzzle-loading, shotguns with single ball or slug;
– All muzzle-loading Primitive Firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with either percussion caps or #209 shotgun primers or flintlock ignition;
– Single shot, breech loading rifles (.35 caliber or larger) must have exposed hammers and use metallic cartridges. Cartridges may be loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder;
Scopes of any magnification are allowed on primitive weapons, and
WHEREAS, in short summary, the State of Mississippi allows the use of the .35 caliber primitive firearms, (muzzle and breech loading) for big game hunting, while Louisiana does not, and
WHEREAS, the .35 Whelen and .357 cartridges (for breech loading rifles) in other states have become popular options for many youth hunters, female enthusiasts, and physically challenged or disabled outdoorsmen, primarily because of the lesser recoil action, yet uncompromised accuracy and sufficient muzzle velocity for taking large game, as compared to the traditional .45-70 and .444 primitive weapons rounds, and
WHEREAS, those states that allow a larger variety of firearms for primitive weapon seasons typically expect to attract more interest from the sporting public, invariably generating more direct license sales and benefit from increased firearms, ammunition and equipment sales taxes within their state.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED on the basis of the successful hunting regulations in neighboring Mississippi, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation respectfully requests that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries include the .35 caliber rifle cartridges for breech loading firearms as legal primitive firearm weapons, in addition to the current regulation for big game hunting in the State of Louisiana.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in Convention Assembled, March 20, 2011 in Alexandria, Louisiana