1. (1) Definitions.

   1. (a) Muzzleloader: A firearm that is loaded from the muzzle and uses black powder or a black powder substitute as recommended by the manufacturer for use in all muzzleloading firearms. The term load refers to the powder charge and projectile and both must be loaded from the muzzle.
   2. (b) A muzzleloading firearm shall be considered loaded if a powder charge and a projectile, either shot or single projectile are in the barrel and the barrel or breech is capped or primed.

2. (2) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife using a muzzleloading firearm that does not meet the following specifications:

   1. (a) A muzzleloading shotgun or rifle must have a single or double barrel, rifled or smooth-bored.
   2. (b) A muzzleloading shotgun or rifle used for deer must be .40 caliber or larger. Buckshot size #1 or larger may be used in a smoothbore of .60 caliber or larger for deer.
   3. (c) A muzzleloading shotgun, rifle, or handgun used for all other big game must be .45 caliber or larger.
   4. (d) Persons lawfully hunting small game with a double barrel, muzzleloading shotgun may keep both barrels loaded.
   5. (e) A muzzleloading handgun must have a single or double barrel of at least eight inches, must be rifled, and must be capable of being loaded with 45 grains or more of black powder or black powder substitute per the manufacturer's recommendations.
   6. (f) A muzzleloading handgun used for big game must be .45 caliber or larger.
   7. (g) A handgun designed to be used with black powder, including black powder percussion revolvers, can be used to hunt forest grouse, cottontail rabbits, and snowshoe hares.

3. (3) In addition to the above requirements, it is unlawful to participate (hunt) in a muzzleloading hunting season using a firearm that does not meet the following specifications for a muzzleloader. However, a modern handgun may be carried for personal protection. Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during a big game hunting season for muzzleloading firearms.

   1. (a) Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion. Primers designed to be used in modern cartridges are legal.
   2. (b) Sights must be open, peep, of other open sight design, or scopes not exceeding 1x magnification. Fiber optic sights are legal. Telescopic sights are prohibited.
   3. (c) It is unlawful to have any electrical aiming device attached to a muzzleloading firearm while hunting except for red-dot or similar electronically powered scopes not exceeding 1x magnification.
   4. (d) Those persons lawfully hunting big game with a double barrel muzzleloader may only keep one barrel loaded.
4. (4) Muzzleloading firearms used during a modern firearm season are not required to meet ignition, sight, or double barrel restrictions.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 25-17-008 (Order 25-12), s 220-414-060, filed 8/7/25, effective 9/7/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.08.030, 77.08.045, 77.12.047, 77.12.722, 77.12.800, 77.15.190, 77.32.320, 77.32.530, and 77.32.535. WSR 24-11-029 (Order 23-18), § 220-414-060, filed 5/7/24, effective 6/7/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 22-13-110 (Order 22-70), § 220-414-060, filed 6/15/22, effective 7/16/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, 77.12.040, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.210, 77.12.240, 77.12.320, 77.12.570, 77.12.800, 77.15.245, 77.32.007, 77.32.050, 77.32.070, 77.32.090, 77.32.370, and 77.32.530. WSR 18-11-061 (Order 18-76), § 220-414-060, filed 5/11/18, effective 6/11/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), recodified as § 220-414-060, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.240, and 77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-12-051, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. WSR 10-10-061 (Order 10-94), § 232-12-051, filed 4/30/10, effective 5/31/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240. WSR 09-09-083 (Order 09-53), § 232-12-051, filed 4/15/09, effective 5/16/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-11-032 (Order 06-92), § 232-12-051, filed 5/8/06, effective 6/8/06; WSR 03-13-047 (Order 03-129), § 232-12-051, filed 6/12/03, effective 7/13/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.010, 77.12.020, 77.12.770, 77.12.780. WSR 00-11-137 (Order 00-50), § 232-12-051, filed 5/23/00, effective 6/23/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.055 and 77.12.040. WSR 90-14-109 (Order 450), § 232-12-051, filed 7/5/90, effective 8/5/90; WSR 89-11-062 (Order 393), § 232-12-051, filed 5/18/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. WSR 84-18-013 (Order 234), § 232-12-051, filed 8/28/84; WSR 81-12-029 (Order 165), § 232-12-051, filed 6/1/81. Formerly WAC 232-12-135.]