Slugging For Deer? How Many Shells in Gun Are Legal?

[Texas Star]

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.

 

[7shooter]

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

 

[Beemer-mark]

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.

 

[Doug M.]

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.

 

[Vegetaman]

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.

 

[ACP230]

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.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

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

 

[redneckemt]

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

 

[steelslaver]

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.

 

[hangnoose]

SHOTGUN ROUND LIMITS

#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.

 

[dkizer22]

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

 

[kwselke]

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

 

[snake803]

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................

 

[2152hq]

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.

 

[ladder13]

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

 

[gdnagle]

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

 

[steamloco76]

I
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.

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.

 

[rburg]

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

 

[Maze 686]

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

 

[rick6336]

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").