Legal ML Deer Caliber

[Bretwalda]

Ok... :hmm: I am not trying to post an opinion about the ethics to be debated regarding the use of small caliber ML's to hunt deer , but I am inquiring as to what states allow the use of .32 caliber ML's for deer hunting :shocked2: ? I know Ohio does not :nono: , but I thought Kentucky did and some of the South Eastern States did. I tried a google search but got so much "junk" that I decided to post the question here and let the members respond to me. Again I am not trying to debate the issue of ethics :surrender: ...I am only inquiring on an issue of legality. Thanks for all who respond.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Texas has no minimum caliber for muzzle loaders. I have used a .32 Crockett rifle to kill sika doe with, which are larger than our whitetails, granted the shots were no more than 35 yards and they were hit between the ear and the eye. They went straight down. I would think that a .45 cal or larger would be better suited to the task for the average shooter for southern whitetail keeping range in mind at all times. For northern whitetail I'd say .50 or better.

 

[dallas10c]

.45 or larger in PA

 

[greyghost]

The Arizona game regs do not state a minimum caliber for big game, however I don't think one should ethicaly try to down a bear, mountain lion,
deer or an elk with anything smaller than a .50cal and I wouldn't go for elk with less than a .54 JMHO :shake:

Hey Recon, were you in recon?

 

[bucktales]

.45 or larger in PA

Same in Ct.

 

[outdoorman]

40 caliber in Missouri.

Outdoorman

 

[Robert Egler]

As far as I know there are no caliber limits in NC. I just did a quick check of the game regs to refresh my memory and can't find any mention of a mimimum calber for muzzleloaders.

 

[Flint311]

Michigan lifted the "stated caliber" a couple years ago. Most buy m/l's off the shelf to extend the season. Nobody makes or stocks, and many don't own, something that isn't legal for the season.......

 

[dlpowell]

.40 cal for rifles and 20 ga. for smoothies in Oklahoma.

 

[CZMark]

In Wisconsin, the minimum rifle caliber is .40; smoothbore is .45.

 

[vtflatlander]

In Vermont the minimum bore diameter for both rifle and smooth bore is .43 inches.
Fred

 

[rabjr]

Here in R.I its .45 cal for our regular muzzleloader season and during our shotgun season now. Up until last year it was a minimum .20 gauge in smoothbores during our shotgun season.

 

[playfarmers]

Here in Manitoba Canada the min for deer is .44 nad the min for elk and moose is .50

 

[wvbuckbuster]

.38 in WV.

 

[wtilenw]

Here's Idaho;
Muzzleloader Caliber Requirements
In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and shortrange
hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals:
Ӣ With any muzzleloading rifle or musket that is less than
.45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, or mountain lion; or
is less than .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep,
mountain goat or black bear.
Muzzleloader-Only Season
Any person hunting in a muzzleloader-only season, including
controlled hunts, must have in their possession a license with
a muzzleloader permit validation. During a muzzleloaderonly
season, it is illegal to pursue or kill a big game animal
with any firearm, muzzleloading pistol, or weapon other
than a muzzleloading rifle or musket. In addition, the
muzzleloading rifle or musket must be:
Ӣ Capable of being loaded only from the muzzle.
Ӣ Equipped with only open or peep sights. Scopes and any
electronics are prohibited. Except hunters with a visual
disability may apply for a permit to use nonmagnifying
scopes. (Applications are available at Fish and Game
offices).
Ӣ Loaded only with loose black powder, loose Pyrodex, or
other loose synthetic black powder. Pelletized powders
are prohibited.
Ӣ Equipped with a single or double-barrel.
Ӣ Loaded with a projectile that is within .010 inch of the
bore diameter. Sabots are prohibited.
Ӣ Loaded with a patched round ball or conical non-jacketed
projectile comprised wholly of lead or lead alloy.
Ӣ Equipped only with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap.
209 primers are prohibited.
Ӣ Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion
of the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is
cocked and ready to fire.

 

[riderkb]

Minimum bore in VA is .45, but the projectile can be smaller. I think you can go down to .38 with a sabot. There is a minimum powder charge, too, 50 grains IIRC.

In my opinion, these laws are useless. Only common sense and experience can prevent wounding and losing game. I'll bet the vast majority of wounded deer are shot with (perfectly legal) 12 gauge buckshot loads at ranges that are just too far.

I know someone who shot a buck at 90 yards with buckshot. It took 6 rounds, but eventually the poor thing died. He found 20 balls in the carcass.

 

[Bretwalda]

Thanks for posting to my topic. I always felt that shot placement at reasonable ranges was 90% of the harvest equation :thumbsup: .

 

[jmforge]

.40 caliber for "single projectile" guns and 20 gauge for one that use "multiple projectiles" in Florida.

 

[bigbore442001]

In Massachusetts the law for muzzleloading in regard to calibers is a minimum of .44 and a maximum of .775.

 

[dyemaker]

.44 caliber in Indiana.