That was the original deal years back Andy. Here's the current:
All hunters participating in the muzzleloading season must follow these requirements in addition to the other regulations in this guide.
•Each resident hunter must have purchased a current year Muzzleloading privilege with his/her big game license.
•Each nonresident hunter must have a current year Muzzleloading License.
•The legal firearm for this season is a muzzleloading rifle or pistol (including smoothbore muzzleloaders) loaded through the muzzle, shooting a single projectile and having a bore of .44 inches or larger. Double-barreled muzzleloaders and percussion cap revolvers are not legal during the special muzzleloading season. If you hunt with a single-shot muzzleloading pistol, you must have a New York State Pistol License.
•Hunters shall not have in their possession, or be accompanied by a person who has in his or her possession, a bow or firearm other than the legal muzzleloading firearm.
•You may use fiber-optic sights or scopes on a muzzleloading firearm at any time.