Minimum Caliber ML Requirements For Deer Hunting

[roundball]

State muzzleloading hunting regulations are interesting...for example, in North Carolina:

HANDGUNS:

No BP pistol may be used for deer hunting regardless of caliber.
(But for deer hunting with other types handguns, there is no barrel length restriction (new change this year) and only a .24cal minimum...ie: a .25cal pocket auto would be OK but a .58cal or .69cal BP pistol would not).
(SIDE NOTE: But if using a .22 cal handgun for squirrels & rabbits, it's barrel must be at least 5.5" long)


RIFLES:

There is no minimum caliber for deer hunting with muzzleloading rifles.
ie: a .32cal muzzleloader rifle would be legal, but a big ole .58cal or .69cal BP pistol is not.
(SIDE NOTE: there is no minimum caliber for ANY kind of rifle...yes, a .22cal rifle may be used for deer hunting)


I can't seem to find a common theme woven through all these...like they're dreamed up by different groups independent of each other's rationale or writings.

:: ::

 

[Rebel]

Does it specify .22 cal centerfire rifles for deer. That is what it is here. No rimfires are allowed, but any .22 centerfire is. Same with handguns. So some nut could go out with a Raven .25 auto and be legal. No sense at all in some of the laws. .40 cal min. for bp rifles.

 

[roundball]

"...Does it specify .22 cal centerfire rifles for deer..."


Simply no minimum cal listed for deer at all...been that way for at least 25 years that I know of...I've personally called the NC-DNR and specifically asked about it...even asked that question about .22's:
"so I can hunt deer with my little .22cal rifle?"

Answer: Yes.

Hard to see the logic in the different regs...

 

[oomcurt]

Regulations..be it state, county, or city at times and in some places are just plain wierd. I once ran into a building inspector where I lived that before he got that job had a dairy route...and this dolt was the man in charge of the whole department. Another time and another place the head of building inspection was the brother of a well known large building contrator...seems the brother that had the company at one time had this idiot working for him and quickly canned him. And on and on. I really believe, that in 99% of the cases, no matter where..the heads of departments got that job through some form of nepotisim. They certainly did not get the job by having a real knowledge of thier area.

 

Here in Maryland , muzzleloading rifles or shotguns for deer hunting must be at least .40 cal. and use at least 60 grns. or more of black powder or black powder equivalent and propel one all-lead , lead alloy or copper soft-nosed or expanding bullet or ball at a single discharge . Sabot loads are legal . Scopes may be used . Flint , percussion , and inline are all legal to use . Muzzleloading pistols for deer must be at least .40 cal. and use at least .40 grns. or more of black powder or black powder equivalent and propel one all-lead , lead alloy or copper soft-nosed expanding bullet or ball at a single discharge . That's it , almost word for word . What I don't understand is , if .40 grns. is OK for a pistol , then why isn't it OK for a rifle ? Unless maybe they figure you will be alot closer to the deer if you are using a pistol (oh yeah , I can see the nimrods and the yahoos taking 100 yard shots with cap and ball pistols )

 

[tg]

I think that the lack of knowledge about ML guns overall has had a lot to do with what is or is not leagal in ML hunts across the nation, Game departments cannot make valid rational choices without soild data or historical record of performance,... which for the most part has not been determined for RB, I think that type of sights and many other things which are a part of ML gear could stand a serious review in most states if one goes back to the "intent" of the seasons in the first place,

 

[Dave K]

Is that 60gr. of Elephant, KIK, Goex, Swiss, or what! We have seen the charts that show there is a difference in powder brands.

 

[roundball]

Is that 60gr. of Elephant, KIK, Goex, Swiss, or what! We have seen the charts that show there is a difference in powder brands.

Might as well add "sand" to that list if you're going to include elephant...the ingnition speed of sand would be about as relevant as some batches of elephant I've had!
:crackup: :crackup:

 

Is that 60gr. of Elephant, KIK, Goex, Swiss, or what! We have seen the charts that show there is a difference in powder brands.

Any and all . ::

 

[bob1961]

you can use "manually operated centerfire rifle or handguns and shotguns that shoot a all lead bullet or BALL or bullet designed to exspand on impact"....but no bp pistols....my friend a few years ago used his .357 magum revolver with a 5" barrel but a .54 flintlock with a 12" barrel is not legal???..............bob

 

[Dave K]

Roundball, :what: were you shooting 2F Elephant, er I mean sand? :crackup:

 

[Rebel]

Elephino why anyone would shoot it when there is good 'ol sand fer free and it ignites better. ::

 

[roundball]

Roundball, :what: were you shooting 2F Elephant, er I mean sand? :crackup:

No...my batch was 3F...the finer grade of sand

 

[Stumpkiller]

NY regulations:

Muzzleloader- Firearm loaded through the muzzle, a minimum bore of .44 inches and shooting a single projectile. Scopes may now be used during the Special Muzzleloading Season in addition to the Regular Big Game Season and the Early Bear Season. See Muzzleloading section of regulations for special requirements during the muzzleloading season.

All hunters participating in the muzzleloading season must follow these requirements in addition to the other regulations in this guide.

Each resident hunter must have purchased a current year Muzzleloading privilege with his/her big game license.
Each nonresident hunter must have a current year Muzzleloading License.
The legal firearm for this season is a muzzleloading rifle or pistol (including smoothbore muzzleloaders) loaded through the muzzle, shooting a single projectile and having a bore of .44 inches or larger. Double-barreled muzzleloaders and percussion cap revolvers are not legal during the special muzzleloading season. If you hunt with a single-shot muzzleloading pistol, you must have a New York State Pistol License.
Hunters shall not have in their possession, or be accompanied by a person who has in his or her possession, a bow or firearm other than the legal muzzleloading firearm.
You may use fiber-optic sights or scopes on a muzzleloading firearm at any time.

During the open season for deer, it is illegal to:

possess shotgun shells loaded with slug or ball, unless holding a valid license or permit to take deer or bear, or
possess a rifle larger than a .22 rimfire (muzzleloading rifles excepted) in areas where rifles are banned for taking deer.

Not bad, but there are a few things I'd change if I could.

We have to use a shotgun for turkey, but at least we can hunt small game with a muzzleloading rifle - any caliber - even during deer season.

 

[cayugad]

For deer hunting in Wisconsin no black powder revolver is legal unless it meet a certain barrel length and speed of projectile. Therefor I think most of the handguns would be very hard pressed to meet requirements.

In the muzzle loading rifle section I believe they must be .40 caliber rifled barrel or larger, and .45 caliber smooth bore or larger. They also have no restrictions on type of ignition or projectile. They do not allow any magnified optics. This means a RED DOT scope is legal, or a 1X scope is also legal, as are fiber optic or peep sights. Any magnified scope is :nono: not allowed.

Our season starts at the end of November or the first part of December for 9 days. It basically starts as soon as modern season ends which is always weekend to weekend of the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

[Ironwood]

Texas makes it pretty simple.

"Muzzleloader: Any firearm that is loaded only through the muzzle. Note: A cap and ball firearm in which the powder and ball are loaded into a cylinder is not a muzzleloader."

I thought at one time .45 caliber or larger was on there but I guess they have done away with that.

 

[jmckenney]

Michigan: Q. May I use sabot bullets?

Yes. Sabots are legal in Michigan for use in conventional rifles and shotguns as well as muzzleloading firearms.

Q. What types of firearms are legal to use during the December muzzleloading deer season?
A. A person may use a muzzleloading rifle or muzzleloading shotgun or black-powder handgun loaded with black-powder or a commercially manufactured black-powder substitute. The use of smokeless powder during this deer season is unlawful statewide. The requirement that the firearm be loaded with a .44 caliber or larger projectile was repealed by the Natural Resources Commission in 2002 and is no longer in effect.
The above statement "handgun... .44 Cal....no longer is in effect" raises another question in Michigan: Another part of the game laws state that handguns must use a min of .35 cal straight wall cartridges capable of holding no more than 9 rounds. This begs the questions.
Is a BP revolvers cylinder chambers considered a straight wall cartridge? Or is even a single shot muzzle loader considered to be using a straight walled cartridge? Guess I would have to roll some paper cartridges with straight walls to qualify either way thus ruling out the use of loose powder and balls. Secondly, the rule banning the use of a handgun with over 9 rounds would disqualify a LeMat revolver.
Since these rules apply only during the December deer hunt I have to wonder: What rules apply during the general hunting season if I choose to use a muzzle loader? :bull:

 

I think I have mentioned this before, but in Lousyanna the .40 is an 'illegal' caliber: the regs specify .44 or larger for deer and other big game and .36 or smaller for small game. Thus my .40 hangs on the mantle most of the time. My personal belief is that the .40 is too small for all but those Texas hill country deer, but I know many of you disagree. Certainly you can kill a deer with a .40 (even a .22) with the proper shot, but on the average a >.44 would be better, so I cannot fault the game department on that reg, but not allowing for use of the .40 for varmints/small game seems too restrictive. The .36 will handle varmints and small game (I use a .32)but the .40 would be an ideal coyote gun....

 

[MikeChapin]

Forgive me if I miss a few things here. I'm working from 15 years ago. I am going to have to pick up a new set of regulations when I make residency requirements in a few months.

Wyoming has a .40 cal minimum caliber for big game, i.e. deer, elk, antelope, and bear. I use larger calibers, a 50 for deer and antelope and 54 or 58 for larger. I carry a .44 mag in case I should botch a shot. It is legal to hunt big game with it but never had to use it.

Wyoming does not have a seperate ML season. This is usually not a problem except for Antelope. After the first day they are usually too squirelly to get within BP range.

 

[Tahquamenon]

No BP muzzleloading restrictions on caliber here in Michigan. Prior to 2002, a 44 caliber or larger was required.