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Committee advances House Bill 128 to allow certain modern muzzleloader projectiles
Summary
The committee approved House Bill 128 to permit sabots (modern muzzleloader projectiles) for muzzleloader-only hunts; the Fish and Game Commission opposed the bill and witnesses debated technology, ethics and rulemaking process.
The Resources and Conservation Committee voted to send House Bill 128 to the House with a due-pass recommendation after a lengthy discussion about muzzleloader technology, hunter ethics and the Fish and Game Commission’s rulemaking process.
Representative Ron Mendy (District 5), the bill sponsor, described his experience hunting with muzzleloaders and said sabots provide greater accuracy and terminal performance for elk-sized game. “I love the idea of muzzleloading,” he said, and added that sabots “are extremely accurate” and can improve terminal performance.
The Fish and Game Commission, represented by Ellery Tucker Williams, testified in opposition. Williams said commission staff and a recently formed Hunting and Advanced Technology Working Group had studied modern muzzleloader technology and that hunter opinion was split: “It was basically split fiftyfifty in the support for modern muzzleloader technology,” she said. Williams told the committee the commission’s rulemaking process, which included a previous expansion to allow other metal-alloy projectiles, did not specifically ask about sabots and that the commission can revisit the issue through rulemaking.
Chief Greg Wooten clarified enforcement and rule details: prior rule changes allowed some polymer-tipped or expandable-base projectiles and the commission’s 2023 rulemaking included public comment. Members of the committee asked whether polymer-based projectiles such as certain ELDX rounds were legal under current rules; enforcement staff said polymer-base bullets were allowed under the rule change that expanded projectiles beyond lead.
Several conservation and hunting groups testified; testimony split. Nick Fasiano (Idaho Wildlife Federation) said he “very respectfully, does not support this bill,” citing process concerns and preference for commission-led rulemaking. Some members argued that sabots might reduce wounding loss and improve harvest efficiency; others said sabots could move muzzleloader seasons away from a “primitive weapon” ethic.
Representative Daggart announced he would vote no; the committee approved the motion to advance the bill by voice vote and sent it to the House.
