If anyone is serious about going to straight-walled centerfire rifles as legal during what was "muzzeloader" season, then it's time to just entirely do away with the traditional "archery" season, and make whatever weapon one prefers be "legal" during a simple "deer" season?
We should be careful for what we demand, like allowing straight-walled centerfires or shotguns as legal during what was the muzzeloader season segment. That could put us on a fast track to a much shorter annual deer season, because hunters would suddenly all be using more efficient weapons.
I'll try to be neutral on this question, but,
would you prefer a continuance of what we have now, or,
a "deer season" beginning November 1st, closing December 15th,
but with the ability to use any weapon you prefer?
And a 1- buck limit might come with that as well.
The trade-off of legalizing more effective weapons than previously allowed during certain times, is quite simply the risk of a shorter deer season. Of course, if the goal is to eradicate the deer herd, as seems to be the case in some CWD-West TN counties, then you'll just start traditional archery season hunting with a centerfire rifle (if you so choose).
If we greatly reduce the statewide deer population, perhaps there will coincide a great reduction in the number of deer hunters, so it all works out in the wash?
Or, ultimately not many deer hunters, not many deer to hunt, but then, maybe the non-hunting public would just prefer to entirely do away with "sport" deer hunting, and turn deer herd "management" over entirely to government employees and government contracted sharp-shooters.
It behooves us to be careful for what we wish.