Tony Knight, Knignt Muzzeloaders Dies in Iowa.

March 19, 2013, 7:38 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

Tony Knight, the founder of Knight Rifles muzzleloaders and a passionate advocate for muzzleloader hunting and shooting sports, died Monday in Iowa.

Knight was 67. He was born Dec. 21, 1945, in Kirksville, Mo. Knight was a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War.

Tony Knight passionately lobbied openly and behind the scenes in numerous states for inclusion of his “inline rifle” for hunting seasons and for special muzzleloader-only seasons. He visited conservation board meetings, talked with state wildlife officials and legislators, and was available to writers and hunters for advice on muzzleloading information.

Similar to when compound bows began ushering in a new era in the hunting industry in the 1960s and 1970s, Knight’s modern muzzleloader and its components did the same. From the days of loose powder, caplocks and flintlocks to his easy-loading rifles, improved bullets and pellet powder charges, hunters found an easier way to enjoy “smoke poles” when pursuing big game. State agencies began adding in-line rifles to hunting seasons and today they’re just as much a part of hunting as campfire stories camo.

Without a doubt Tony’s vision opened a whole new door to the hunting community and that we are thankful for.

Hunt Safe, Hunt well

Brandon C. Hammonds