Using a shotgun to hunt deer and small game at the same time

Dfbshaw

Dfbshaw

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Anyone use a SxS or O\U to hunt deer and small game at the same time ?

I was out for deer today with my muzzleloader and, of course, I saw two rabbits and five grouse. Later I was thinking about using a shotgun with a slug in one barrel and #6 shot in the other. Dumb idea? Should I concentrate on one species at a time? Or is it fine and a good way to kill two birds etc. etc.

The only thing that might be tough is remembering which trigger to pull or selecting the appropriate barrel before shooting.
 
You'll have to read your provinces hunting regs, if your hunting deer with birdshot in the barrell you may be breaking your hunting regs.
 
Dfbshaw said:
Anyone use a SxS or O\U to hunt deer and small game at the same time ?

I was out for deer today with my muzzleloader and, of course, I saw two rabbits and five grouse. Later I was thinking about using a shotgun with a slug in one barrel and #6 shot in the other. Dumb idea? Should I concentrate on one species at a time? Or is it fine and a good way to kill two birds etc. etc.

The only thing that might be tough is remembering which trigger to pull or selecting the appropriate barrel before shooting.
Click to expand...

The other day I was imagining a SxS 20ga with one rifled barrel for sabots and a smooth barrel for shot.

Always ready in case a deer pops out on the walk back, or when the partridge and pheasants flush.

The slug in one barrel during deer season, with a deer tag, indicates you are hunting deer. The shot indicates you are hunting deer illegally because your shot size is too small.

Dreams crashed.

In Ontario anyways.

I also deal with a 1 week controlled deer season for shotgun/muzzle loader. The last thing I want to do is cause a ruckus and spook the bucks before I have filled my tag.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the hunting regs, I'll have to check the Sask hunters guide. Never thought of it, I mean who in their right mind would hunt deer with birdshot.
 
zuke said:
I carry a big gun for moose and a Savage Rascal for small game
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Ah... we think alike. I do the same thing.

Of course soon my son is gonna tell me I can't borrow his Rascal anymore so going to have to get my own !
 
Dfbshaw said:
Anyone use a SxS or O\U to hunt deer and small game at the same time ?

I was out for deer today with my muzzleloader and, of course, I saw two rabbits and five grouse. Later I was thinking about using a shotgun with a slug in one barrel and #6 shot in the other. Dumb idea? Should I concentrate on one species at a time? Or is it fine and a good way to kill two birds etc. etc.

The only thing that might be tough is remembering which trigger to pull or selecting the appropriate barrel before shooting.
Click to expand...

The thought of (Accidentally) shooting a grouse with a 12 gauge slug made me laugh a little.
 
Dfbshaw said:
I looked in the guide and I can't find any regulation saying I can't carry a shotgun loaded with small shot while hunting deer.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sour...t_VWeaD6vzNW2BEqw&sig2=KlrYSMO1ouJsUHzvbvAADw
Click to expand...

Try just walking hiking in the bush during hunting season with no intention of hunting, just a loaded SG or rifle for defense in bear country. Cut & dry right because it's the truth...

Guilty until proven innocent. A lot of BS going on with these MNR guys.
 
madashell said:
Try just walking hiking in the bush during hunting season with no intention of hunting, just a loaded SG or rifle for defense in bear country. Cut & dry right because it's the truth...

Guilty until proven innocent. A lot of BS going on with these MNR guys.
Click to expand...

You are right - but irrelevant. Just buy a tag to cover your @$$.

As for the OP. I see no reason you can't stuff slug in one barrel, birdshot in the other, assuming you have the right tags/licenses - but I'm not a lawyer. The Ontario regs do say "no person shall use a shotgun smaller than 20 gauge or shot smaller than #1 buck." for deer so you'd have to convince the CO in the event of an inspection. That could go sideways.

That being said, shotguns are loud. Taking that grouse could cost you a buck. I'm a fan of my little badger and CCI CBs. Or a single shot cooey with 22 shorts. I think there's some regs that state only one loaded gun at a time but I can't find it ATM. Regs also say no rimfire for deer so again if a CO wanted to make a stink about having a rimfire out during deer season, there's no reason he couldn't. As the saying goes "charge them all, let the courts figure it out".

Man these regs are a headache. I wish common sense prevailed.

Please keep this thread updated. I'd love to see a definitive answer about using the slug/birdshot combo.
 
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Dfbshaw said:
I looked in the guide and I can't find any regulation saying I can't carry a shotgun loaded with small shot while hunting deer.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sour...t_VWeaD6vzNW2BEqw&sig2=KlrYSMO1ouJsUHzvbvAADw
Click to expand...

We've hunted deer and birds on the same trip with our shotguns for years.
Carry #6 shot and slugs.
Needless to say we shoot the slugs at the deer and the bird shot at the grouse.
Of course we're properly licensed for both and the season is open for both.
You see a lot of the love of regulation for the sake of regulation in this thread.
If there is no regulation they will make one up.
Goodness knows there are enough laws and regs regarding guns and hunting in this country without proactively creating fictitious ones.
 
Dfbshaw said:
Thanks for the heads up on the hunting regs, I'll have to check the Sask hunters guide. Never thought of it, I mean who in their right mind would hunt deer with birdshot.
Click to expand...

I think you answered the question "who in their right mind would hunt deer with birdshot.? '' in your first post last line.

Siht happens in the heat of the moment and sometimes one may pull the wrong trigger at the wrong time.
As long as it is legal , to each their own.
Rob
 
I have done it successfully, tagged a young buck with a slug and a grouse with shot. I watched the terrain and switched my loading pending what I was expecting. Improved cyl in both barrels. I loaded 5 lead in first bbl, and 4 steel mag for second shot at birds.
 
As mentioned in a previous post, a Chiappa Liitle Badger and a small handful of CCI Quiet 22 lr. will fit nicely in a backpack. You could probably even just carry one unloaded slung across your back without it being much of a bother.
 
I have a Savage 24 that is a 30-30 and a 20 gauge in one gun, so here in Alberta as long as I have the proper tags I'm good to go.
 
I do it all the time, I carry the shot gun loaded with slugs and swap out the chambered round for birdshot if I see a chicken.
I would rather miss a chicken bacause I had to switch rounds out then miss a buck cause I was walking with birdshot loaded in the tube.
 
My father in law use to do it all the time. He would keep the bird shot selected and switch barrels for deer. That way you can make a reaction shot on the bird and a planned shot on the deer. As far as I know he never mixed up what he was shooting. ...and hes not the most careful individual.
 
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