In another topic, a man asks about hunting deer with a shotgun. I've always lived where a rifle was legal, and I prefer one.

But some were telling this guy to fit his HD/deer gun with an extended magazine holding seven shells; maybe more.

In states that require or allow using shotguns for deer, what is the legal max. number of shells in the gun?

Probably varies with the jurisdiction, but what's the max.?

My guess is that if a game warden finds a shotgun in a car where the driver even may be hunting, even if the gun is carried just for defense, someone is getting a ticket or arrested and the gun probably seized. ??

I suspect that a lot of these people who want a "tactical" shotgun are taking chances with the warden. More than three shells in the gun may violate some laws.

In MN extended mags are legal and plugs are not required for deer.

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I like Ike.

Any more you need to get advice from the family lawyer to interpret the hunting regulations. However, once upon a time the 3 round limit was for duck hunting only.

I think the plug is required under federal law or some other federal mandate related to migratory wildfowl, but don't quote me on that. I know my Mossberg 590 had a dowel in the mag tube when it arrived. I threw it out - it was not a hunting gun, and the same will happen with its successor.

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NHI, 10-8.

I think in Illinois for deer season you are limited to shotguns between 10 and 20 gauge that cannot fire more than 3 consecutive slugs.

State game regs differ.
The various DNRs should have online sites where questions like this can be looked up.

In MI a Mossberg 590 that will hold nine shells is legal for deer.

Semiautos are limited to five, if I recall correctly.
Federal waterfowl regs limit shotguns to three in the gun.
I no longer hunt waterfowl and use an over and under for grouse and
rabbits.

In Ohio, you have a maximum of 3 rounds. larger capacity magazines must be plugged. Just like waterfowl. Also, you must carry written permission to hut on privet property, and have on your person a means to tell the time you shot your deer and a means to fill in the "Deer Tag"( I've had friends fined for both) Ivan

I believe that is some kind of Federal Rule. In Tenn we can only carry 3 rounds Dove hunting. Something about the migratory bird act?

In Montana you can run as many rounds as you want as long as your not hunting ducks. That's Federal. There are a few higher population areas where you have to use a shotgun, handgun with straight wall cartridges and less than a 10.5" barrel or muzzle loaders (over 45 cal) to hunt deer, other than that there are no caliber or magazine restrictions at all here. A 2" snubbie with 22 shorts would be legal for bear, just very ill advised.

#3 to comply with the Federal migratory bird act which would be ducks, geese, pheasant, dove. grouse are not, and I'm not sure of quail, crane, snipe or woodcock. The OP asked about deer I recall & if you don't connect by 3, use it as a club. 5 shots is standard for deer in the 4 states I've hunted. Hogs no limits & I added an extended mag, for them, to my Benelli sbe so it will hold 5- 3 1/2" rounds & I don't have to carry the other 2 rounds from the box in my pockets, but don't always use s it. As always know your local/state rules/regs before starting out.

More than 3 shells changes the balance of a Shotgun. I would not want more than three shells legal or not.

In TX there is no limit for deer hunting. The three round Federal limit applies for migratory bird hunting.

I had a customer, here in S. Carolina, That wanted to hunt deer with an SKS...He told me he needed a 5 round magazine, because it was not legal to have a higher capacity magazine.. I found him one, but never verified the requirement... Most of my smaller caliber bolt rifles hold only 4 or 5 in the magazine...
Interesting thread...
JIM................

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SWCA # L-1911

In NY,,6 rds total including the chambered rd.
That includes shotguns w/slugs or centerfire rifles where permitted.
Round capacity has been that as far back as I can remember.

Western NY has been 'slugs' only untill recently the State has begun to allow centerfire rifles in those areas.
No caliber restrictions on the centerfire rifles other than no rimfires.

No loaded longguns allowed in OR ON a motor vehicle. Must be unloaded in both chamber and magazine. IIRC this includes detachable magazine(s) for any longgun in the veh.
...'ON a motor veh'... includes leaning a loaded longgun against a motor veh as well as having one in the bed of a pickup for instance.
Pistols allowed loaded in a veh with the right P/P.
Motor veh includes ATV, snowmobile, etc.
Slinging your rifle over your shoulder or in a scabbard and taking a ride on your sno-mobile/ATV to a favorite spot is agin' the law if that rifle is loaded.

Can't have slug rounds in your possession when out in the field during big game season UNLESS you also have a valid big game license.
No centerfire rifles afield during big game season in areas designated for shotgun/slug only.

and on,,and on,,and on.

Andrew ranted 'Nobody needs more than 7 bullets to kill a deer'. to get his SAFE Act passed .
...Real deer hunters were never allowed more than 6 anyway.

5 in NY, slugs only for deer, no shot. Ooops, one in the chamber also.

In WV It is illegal to hunt deer with: shotgun using ammunition loaded with more than one solid ball, or a rifle using rimfire ammunition of less than .25 caliber.

So looks like no Buckshot, slugs only and no max round count. OBTW you can't hunt with a fully automatic rifle, shotgun or handgun.

As for the Federal migratory bird act here it is:

BIRDS PROTECTED BY THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT:

MBTA Game Birds and Hunted Species

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Psalm 23:4

PA has several areas that are shotgun only due to population density. Gun must be manually operated and use single-projectile ammunition. Magazine capacity is not restricted for deer and bear hunting, all other shotgun hunting the gun must be plugged to no more than three round capacity.

As for the Game Warden seeing a shotgun carried for self-defense- in PA you cannot for any reason carry a loaded shotgun, rifle, long gun, paintball gun, BB gun, pellet gun or crossbow in a motor vehicle. IF you have a License to Carry Firearms, you may carry a loaded handgun CONCEALED on your person or in your car for self defense.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

This thread confirms my thinking about NY being crazy. It also confirms my theory about there not being a good gun law.

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Dick Burg

Three is the limit here in NJ.
Slugs only with a sighted or scoped gun.
Buckshot with bead, sighted, or scoped.

I saw in a shooting/hunting show episode that in some states that some "tactical" parts (pistol grip/stock combination) are not allowed for hunting . In Louisiana the limit is 3 shell (2 3/4").

In Indiana, I have not heard of a law restricting capacity.
And on opening day, it sounds like a lot of people are just filling the air full of lead, hoping something runs into it.
We are allowed shotgun, handgun, or rifles chambered for pistol caliber only.

Vic3620

"hearing, knowing or what used to be", is ALL BAD legal advice,you must check with your own states regulations, and CURRENT ones, not from some old booklet.........................good folks have been busted, jailed and lost guns & hunting privileges for less..............
Ignorance of the law is "bad" defense option.........

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

When I guided in Central Cali, I would sometimes use a Model 97 "trench" gun when I went in after a wounded boar. My understanding, per the local warden, was 3 only. Just from a conversation with him, over the tailgate.

According to the DEC Website, the 6 round capacity rule is for semi-automatic firearms (unless it's a handgun with a barrel less than 8 inches long). I see no mention of any capacity restrictions for any other action type.

From DEC website:

Real hunters seldom need more than one round.



His maniacal rant showed how out of touch with reality his anti-gun opinion is, but that's a discussion that belongs in the 2A Forum.

And if you have not downed the animal after three shots, five more rounds will not do it either.

Note that this list DOES include doves and pigeons. Doves are probably the major game bird in TX.

It's a nuisance to keep installing & removing a mag. plug and worrying what the warden will think you're hunting. I really don't think it's practical to own a shotgun for bird hunting and use it for home defense. You can certainy kill a burglar with three shots, but if you're one of those guys who needs a shotgun with an extended mag., better forget using it for hunting in many states. Actually, those FEDERAL laws pretty much ruin using any shotgun for both birds and burglars. A gun set up for deer with slugs is a different matter, IF state law allows more than three shells.

I own just one shotgun now, so it has to be plugged for three shells. That's one of several reasons why I use handguns for home protection.

I don't know how you guys do it. After reading about loading 5 or more rd's I tried and tried! But my dern ol' Savage will not take more then 1 per Bbl!

In Missouri under, methods allowed, it says Shotguns (including .410) with slugs only.
Under methods prohibited it says, self loading firearms with capacity of more than 11 cartridges in magazine and chamber combined.
Ammunition propelling more than one projectile at a single discharge (such as buckshot).
So I take it that you could legally have 11 in your shotgun. I always just pull the plug and have 5 in the magazine tube and chamber the shotgun when I get to my spot.
Peace,
Gordon

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better have that checked

Better double check that. I see this in the game laws:

It is unlawful to hunt with a semi-automatic shotgun or semi-automatic rifle that can hold more than six shells in the barrel and magazine combined unless it is a .22 caliber rimfire

You don't shoot the bear. You shoot the knee of the fat guy standing next to you, then run.

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Insert short witty words here

5 round limit for firearm deer season in Michigan.

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~~Mort semper tyrannus

No "slugs" here. I used a Canon®! Shot him a half hour ago...

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RIP Shipmate

I just got my licenses for tomorrow's firearm opener here in Michigan and was looking at this year's rule book and six is the max we can have in our shotguns. I live and hunt in the shotgun only zone and load six in my Browning Gold Deer Hunter and the same in my 657 in 8 3/8 inch which is also legal on deer as straight walled handguns cartridges .35 or above are legal here. I've taken many deer with the shotgun and yet to do with the S&W although have shot some with my Super Blackhawk before.
I like the semi-auto shotgun as it absorbs some recoil and allows for a quick follow up shot. I've only needed that once when I shot two does one after the other and filled my freezer that quick.
I've got the battery charger on my quad right now for dragging out that big buck hopefully tomorrow and have to get my gear together this afternoon. I hunting my own property and plan on sitting near some trails in the morning near a scrape and rub I recently found. Getting a bit excited but if I had my druthers I'd be hunting with a rifle especially for the occasional long shot I might get.

What was the range and the lens used? Nice photos!

Thanks! About 90 feet. With a 55-250mm. Got it with my T3i. Wish I had a doubler. They're pricey.

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RIP Shipmate

I know here in NY you have to have a 20 gauge as the smallest shotgun for hunting deer although it is well known that .410's with slugs are used for jacking deer. My hunting gun for years has been my Ithaca 37 Deerslayer in 16 gauge and for deer its legal to load the magazine up with the four it will hold. Restrictions are for waterfowl. Of course with the Safe Act now everyone is panicked carrying anything more than seven rounds in anything even though if I recall (and this might be subject to interpretation)that pump action shotguns are not listed because the tube mag guns aren't using a detachable mag. I cannot imagine needing more than three slugs on deer given the nature and knockdown of those slugs.

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Vaya con Dios