Using a combination gun in N.C.

[Wildbuc]

Hi folks, I have just bought a Baikal combination gun, 22 mag/20 gauge but now wonder how I can use it legally in N.C.  A wildlife officer informed me that I can use it on private lands but not on public lands.  It all depends on the type of game sought, location, the time of year, and what kind of ammunition you are carrying with you.  It is all so complex that I don't feel comfortable using it at all, although it appears to be a great gun, and just what I wanted. 

I learned today, March 5th, that the Wildlife Dept. has adopted new regulations for the coming year that may allow any type of gun on public lands.  Have any of you guys hunted with a combo gun in N.C.?  Can you give any guidance on how to use the gun and stay out of trouble? 

[Mack in N.C.]

this is a battle i fought a few years ago........

read page 55 in the regs   " it is unlawful to possess a rifle or pistol larger than 22 rimfire or a shotgun shell with larger than no 4 shot during closed gun seasons on big game.......

note it says 22 rimfire.......it does not say 22 lr, 22 short or 22 mag...all are rimfires.....

i have know over the years several of the game wardens and bioligist.........most are retired now but one is not and i have hunted with him in the past.......i was talking to him onwe day and he said i could not use my 22 mag during jan and feb......belive me this guy problay would of written me a ticket if we wernt just talking.......i told him bull.......he was adamant about it........i was then telling this to a bioligist of over 30 years......he said bull...he agreed that a 22 mag was legal......since he is not a warden i called the wardens boss in raleigh......he agreed with the warden......i called his boss ......he informed me that i was right and he would inform the 2 below him that i could use a 22 mag............the first warden has since been promoted to head of his district..........

beleive me when i say that dont know the regs like they should.......

alot of the deputy sherrif dont know the laws......i have been in road checks and all of the last 4 times i either had a pistol laying in clear view or a longgun laying in clearview......3 of the times each office asked me where was my permit for the guns......i nformed them that i do not need a permit for agun in plain sight........you only need a buy permit to purchase a pistol or a concealed carry permit to carry one concealed........all three said something like  "oh"......the one who didnt question me about a permit or something was a chatham co deputy who said he wish he was going hunting instead of working....nice guy...

also i had a pit bull charge me on our land.....i almost shot it but when i pulled my mod 27 .357 it turned and ran......i called the alamance co sherrifs dept which is over animal control and told them they need to do something about this dog(this was my 3rd and final call to them .they did give the owner warnings)  ..i told the lady deputy that answered that this is the 3rd time i have called about this dog and the 2nd time that the dog has charged someone on my land and today he about got shot with my pisto;......her first response was did i have a permit for the gun........i not too nicely told her that i do not need a permit for open carry
anyway the owner did get warnings.......

pm me if you want the name of the higher up i spoke with in raleigh.....i have everyones name and dates........i dont know why some of the employess read 22 rimfire as only 22 lr or short......i guess i do know...ignorance.......they dont know a 22 mag is a rimfire..........mack

as too the legality of the combo gun i would say that you are legal during small game seasons......i would  say no  during turkey season .....note....just below on page 55 about the 22 rimfire it says...." during spring turkey season it is unlawful to possess a rifle on gamelands..."

it says "possess a rifle"....thats any rifle...it does not say anything about wheter you have the ammo or not....so even though you may not have the 22 mag ammo on you i would bet some of these wardens would give you a ticket as you are possessing a rifle .......common sense does not apply to them.....

mack

[charles p]

I don't hunt much public land, but I assume if a small game season is open, you can use the combo gun.  If no small game season is open, there is no valid reason to be hunting on public land with a rifle - period. 

Not too complicated to me.  If you want to target shoot, go somewhere else.

[Wildbuc]

Mack, Thanks very much for your helpful information.  It seems you do have a good appreciation for the nuances of my question.   

Well, many of the proposed changes in wildlife regulations have been adopted, and should be available for hunters to review after July 1, 2009.  I think I will wait until reading these new regulations before contacting wildlife officials.  You can bet I will carefully document whatever is said, and carry these regs and statements with me while hunting.  If I were to get a ticket, or have my gun/truck taken from me, I would be more than a little ticked off.

Let's hope the newer regs will offer clearer interpretations of using combo guns.

[Mack in N.C.]

anytime i am on this particular gameland i have the notes(copy) in my pocket.........even if i was ticketed i dont think they will take your gun or truck for having a 22 mag vs 22lr.........anyway the way it is worded( 22rimfire) any decent lawyer could beat it.....but who has the time or the money to pay a lawyer......it will be interesting to see how it is worded come july the 1st.....also its not complicated.....at least to people who know what are 22 rinfires as some of the wardens do not know............mack

also.....why even if as the higher up that i spoke with who says says 22 mags are legal dont they allow something with more punch........during jan and feb if you dont like small game you make want to go kill some pesky coyotes or bobcats.......i have killed one of my bobcats with a 22 mag but what about a coyote......i surely would want a 22 hornet at least.........maybe if nothing has changed after july 1 we may need to start called some of these employees of the commision to get some  changes.....
1 change i would like to see is that you could grounghog hunt on gamelands in may june july and aug.......right now you cannot..............mack

[Wildbuc]

Mack, the wildlife guy at the central office in Raleigh told me, according to "current" regulations, that I COULD hunt turkey on private lands so long as I did not have any rifle bullets with me.  He added that I could not hunt turkey on public lands at any time with a combo gun. 

This may have been his opinion only, but he did take a day or two before responding to my phone message.  Perhaps he cleared this policy with higher ups.  (Anyone contemplating using combo guns should not rely on the above, but should read the regs and contact wildlife officers for information.) 

Let's hope for the best with the new regs.  So far it does appear the Wildlife Commission is making an honest effort to provide benefits for hunters as well as manage wildlife.