Pudelpointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lethbridge, Alberta
Okay, so a couple days ago I noticed I was about to type my 1000th post and become a "Big Mouth" ,even though Crazy_Davey thinks I was already there, and I decided that I would celebrate this milestone by posting some "useful" information.
Whenever there is a thread started about handgun hunting there is always at least one person who says "I don't want to be out there with a bunch of crazies waving there pistols everywhere!!!!!!". So I decided to take a look at what other areas (US states of course) had on the books for rules related to handgun hunting and/or carrying one for self-defense while hunting.
While some states have no regs, i.e. any firearm of any caliber of any size, many others have reasonable rules.
This is what I have so far:
Nevada
Big Game
Centerfire Firearm
(Refer to NACs 503.142 & 503.150)
Rifles: Must use a center-fire cartridge of .22 caliber or larger.
Handguns: Must have at least a 4-inch barrel and use either:
1.) A centerfire cartridge of .22 caliber or larger with an overall
loaded length of 2 inches; or
2.) A centerfire cartridge of .24 caliber or larger with a case length
equal to or longer than the case of a Remington .44 magnum.
Prohibited Firearms: Any firearm capable of firing more than
one round with one continuous pull of the trigger.
Ohio
Deer Hunting
Handgun – 5-in. min. length barrel, using straight-walled cartridges .357 caliber or larger
Wyoming
Section 4. Firearms and cartridges that are legal for the taking of big or trophy
game animals.
(a) Wyoming statutes authorize the use of a firearm which has a barrel bore
diameter of at least twenty-three-hundredths (23/100) of an inch and is chambered to fire a center-fire cartridge not less than two (2) inches in overall length, including a soft or expanding point bullet seated to a normal depth, or a muzzle-loading rifle which has a barrel bore diameter of at least forty-hundredths (40/100) of an inch and a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or equivalent, or a muzzle-loading specialty single shot handgun which has a barrel length of not less than ten (10) inches, a bore diameter of at least forty- five-hundredths (45/100) of an inch and which propels a projectile of two hundred forty (240) grains at not less than five hundred (500) foot pounds at one hundred (100) yards.
(b) In addition, the Commission authorizes any other cartridge fired from a firearm
that has a barrel bore diameter of at least thirty-five hundredths (35/100) of an inch and the cartridge generally delivers at least five hundred (500) ft-pounds of impact at one hundred (100) yards and cartridges used are loaded with a soft, or expanding point bullet.
New Hampshire
Deer hunting and night hunting of coyotes is allowed only by shotgun, muzzleloading rifle, handguns in calibers .357 Magnum, 10mm Automatic, .41 Remington, .44 Magnum, .45 Long Colt, .480 Ruger or .50 Magnum, or bow and arrow or crossbow in the following towns:
Washington State
A modern handgun may be carried for personal protection if that person possesses a concealed pistol license as defined in RCW 9.41.070.
Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during a big game hunting season for muzzleloading
firearms.. or.. during an archery, big game hunting season.
West Virginia
It is illegal to:
• have a gun and bow afield together, except that persons who have a concealed weapon permit may carry a concealed handgun for self defense only.
and
Pistol Laws and Regulations
Individuals who possess a valid concealed carry permit may carry a concealed handgun while afield hunting, hiking, camping, fishing or in or on a motor vehicle for purposes of self defense only.
Only persons 21 years old or older are eligible for a Class A-1 stamp.
Only pistols having a barrel at least 4 inches in length are legal for hunting.
While hunting, the licensee shall carry the pistol outside his/her outer clothing, in an unconcealed and easily visible place.
A pistol may be used only during established hunting seasons. Only single-shot muzzleloading pistols of .38 caliber or larger are legal for hunting deer during the muzzleloader season.
It is legal to hunt groundhogs in open fields with a pistol.
It is illegal to:
• take migratory game birds with a pistol.
• hunt between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise with a pistol larger than .22 caliber rimfire.
• hunt bear, deer, or wild boar with a pistol using a straightwalled case of less than .357 magnum cartridge or a bottlenecked case of less than .24 caliber.
• hunt bear, deer, or wild boar with a muzzleloading pistol of less than .38 caliber.
Maine
A handgun may be carried by licensed* hunters while bowhunting but may not be used to dispatch deer. (*License to hunt with firearms.)
Massachusetts
5. Black bear may be hunted with handguns only during the September portion of the open season. The only handguns lawful for the hunting of black bear are the .357 Magnum revolver using .357 Magnum ammunition, and other revolvers chambered .40 caliber and larger.
Whenever there is a thread started about handgun hunting there is always at least one person who says "I don't want to be out there with a bunch of crazies waving there pistols everywhere!!!!!!". So I decided to take a look at what other areas (US states of course) had on the books for rules related to handgun hunting and/or carrying one for self-defense while hunting.
While some states have no regs, i.e. any firearm of any caliber of any size, many others have reasonable rules.
This is what I have so far:
Nevada
Big Game
Centerfire Firearm
(Refer to NACs 503.142 & 503.150)
Rifles: Must use a center-fire cartridge of .22 caliber or larger.
Handguns: Must have at least a 4-inch barrel and use either:
1.) A centerfire cartridge of .22 caliber or larger with an overall
loaded length of 2 inches; or
2.) A centerfire cartridge of .24 caliber or larger with a case length
equal to or longer than the case of a Remington .44 magnum.
Prohibited Firearms: Any firearm capable of firing more than
one round with one continuous pull of the trigger.
Ohio
Deer Hunting
Handgun – 5-in. min. length barrel, using straight-walled cartridges .357 caliber or larger
Wyoming
Section 4. Firearms and cartridges that are legal for the taking of big or trophy
game animals.
(a) Wyoming statutes authorize the use of a firearm which has a barrel bore
diameter of at least twenty-three-hundredths (23/100) of an inch and is chambered to fire a center-fire cartridge not less than two (2) inches in overall length, including a soft or expanding point bullet seated to a normal depth, or a muzzle-loading rifle which has a barrel bore diameter of at least forty-hundredths (40/100) of an inch and a charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or equivalent, or a muzzle-loading specialty single shot handgun which has a barrel length of not less than ten (10) inches, a bore diameter of at least forty- five-hundredths (45/100) of an inch and which propels a projectile of two hundred forty (240) grains at not less than five hundred (500) foot pounds at one hundred (100) yards.
(b) In addition, the Commission authorizes any other cartridge fired from a firearm
that has a barrel bore diameter of at least thirty-five hundredths (35/100) of an inch and the cartridge generally delivers at least five hundred (500) ft-pounds of impact at one hundred (100) yards and cartridges used are loaded with a soft, or expanding point bullet.
New Hampshire
Deer hunting and night hunting of coyotes is allowed only by shotgun, muzzleloading rifle, handguns in calibers .357 Magnum, 10mm Automatic, .41 Remington, .44 Magnum, .45 Long Colt, .480 Ruger or .50 Magnum, or bow and arrow or crossbow in the following towns:
Washington State
A modern handgun may be carried for personal protection if that person possesses a concealed pistol license as defined in RCW 9.41.070.
Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during a big game hunting season for muzzleloading
firearms.. or.. during an archery, big game hunting season.
West Virginia
It is illegal to:
• have a gun and bow afield together, except that persons who have a concealed weapon permit may carry a concealed handgun for self defense only.
and
Pistol Laws and Regulations
Individuals who possess a valid concealed carry permit may carry a concealed handgun while afield hunting, hiking, camping, fishing or in or on a motor vehicle for purposes of self defense only.
Only persons 21 years old or older are eligible for a Class A-1 stamp.
Only pistols having a barrel at least 4 inches in length are legal for hunting.
While hunting, the licensee shall carry the pistol outside his/her outer clothing, in an unconcealed and easily visible place.
A pistol may be used only during established hunting seasons. Only single-shot muzzleloading pistols of .38 caliber or larger are legal for hunting deer during the muzzleloader season.
It is legal to hunt groundhogs in open fields with a pistol.
It is illegal to:
• take migratory game birds with a pistol.
• hunt between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise with a pistol larger than .22 caliber rimfire.
• hunt bear, deer, or wild boar with a pistol using a straightwalled case of less than .357 magnum cartridge or a bottlenecked case of less than .24 caliber.
• hunt bear, deer, or wild boar with a muzzleloading pistol of less than .38 caliber.
Maine
A handgun may be carried by licensed* hunters while bowhunting but may not be used to dispatch deer. (*License to hunt with firearms.)
Massachusetts
5. Black bear may be hunted with handguns only during the September portion of the open season. The only handguns lawful for the hunting of black bear are the .357 Magnum revolver using .357 Magnum ammunition, and other revolvers chambered .40 caliber and larger.
Interesting info. I would definatly hunt with a revolver and carry for protection anywhere it was legal.
