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

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.........
 
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.
 
2152hq said:
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.
Click to expand...


ladder13 said:
5 in NY, slugs only for deer, no shot. Ooops, one in the chamber also.
Click to expand...



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:
It is unlawful to hunt big game with:
  • A firearm or bow aided by any artificial light or a laser that projects a beam toward the target.
  • An autoloading firearm with a capacity of more than 6 shells (one which requires that the trigger be pulled separately for each shot), except an autoloading pistol with a barrel length of less than 8 inches.
  • A firearm using rimfire ammunition.
  • A shotgun of less than 20 gauge or any shotgun loaded with shells other than those carrying a single projectile.
  • A bow with a draw weight of 35 lbs or less.
  • Arrows with barbed broadheads; arrowheads less than 7/8 inches at the widest point or with less than 2 sharp cutting edges.
  • Dogs.
  • Aircraft of any kind.
  • Bait.
Click to expand...
 
2152hq said:
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.
Click to expand...


Real hunters seldom need more than one round. :cool:



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. ;)
 
gdnagle said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
ACP230 said:
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.
Click to expand...


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
 
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.
 
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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