Legality of hunting with combo rifles

[efremtags]

It occurred to me looking at some of the pics of game taken that some stated have restrictions on the type of firearms you hunt with by area or game type.

Would i be legal to hunt with a drilling for turky in states that do not allow anything but 2 - 6 shot.

[dougk]

Great question.
Your local game warden would be the best source for legal guidance on that question.

I have taken the view if I do not have ammo for the rifle then you are not hunting with the rifle.  But again your local Game Warden would be able to provide very clear guidance on this issue.

[efremtags]

IN NY, Intent is considered as committing an act when it comes to hunting. It would be illegal to poses say buckshot during deer season, even if it is in our pack and not your gun. Talk about Nazi gestapo laws.

I venture to guess it would be illegal. Just curious on other areas in the country with different laws.

[pastorp]

efremtags, In Alaska there are not a lot of restrictions on weapons for hunting. During the general seasons you could carry what you want. A drilling or combo would be legal and even desirable.

We are starting to have a few special hunts like bow, muzzleloader etc. Of course those hunts are restricted as far as weapon.

Byron

[GatCat]

 I think getting an opinion from the Game Warden be be the best idea. If that is not an option, in my opinion, if you did not have any improper ammo on your person, there would be no violation.
Mark

[pastorp]

Gatcat, I agree with you but your state fish & game would be the final word on that. Byron

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

I think you would be in trouble under the Migratory Birds Treaty if you take it out for ducks, geese, or some crows.

[Mack in N.C.]

i would not go to your local game warden.....especially in nc........go to his boss..call him.......here in nc you can have any weapon you want on private land...ex:ok to hunt  feral hogs on private land with a 30-06 in the springtime......not ok on state land...on the state gamelands you have to use the weapon that is legal for that season.......for instance......jan and feb deer dseason is gone...rabbit is in till feb 28 and squirrel in till 1/31........on gameland after deer season you cannot have anthing but a 22 rimfire or a shotgun with no larger than #4 bird shot.......i think they did make a ammedant for allowing #4 buck for coyotes .............anyway i wanted to hunt feral hogs on gamelands  in jan and feb when no one is in the woods.......book says 22 rimfire is legal........i know this is pushing it but i was taking my 22 mg and i was only going to take a perfect shot(if an gamo air rifle can kill one then a 22 mag can)..anyway 2 game wardens when i asked them said this was illegal.......22 rimfire thay said was only for 22 lr.......i said baloney tthe 22 mag is a rimfire and the book states 22 rimfires are legal........long story shot i went to there boss and their bosses boss in raleigh........22 mag is legal and they said they would relay the message to the wardens....................not all game wardeds know all the laws.......by the way iam only going to take head shots 40 yds or less with solids...........mack

[Siskiyou]

I was in a similar predicament.  I wanted to do some Grouse and Mt. Quail hunting during deer season, but I did not want to miss an opportunity on filling a second deer tag. 

California F&G Code. 
§311. Methods Authorized for Taking Resident Small Game.

b) Shotgun shells may not be used or possessed that contain shot size larger than No. BB, except that shot size larger than No. 2 may not be used or possessed when taking wild turkey. All shot shall be loose in the shell.

The quoted law only relates to California.

We stopped at the F&G office in one of the least populated offices in California.  I told a warden that I would like to carry rifle slugs for deer while out hunting grouse and quail. 

He felt a little insulted that I asked the question.  His basic response was that they were not stupid and would understand why I was carrying the different loads.  With his Lieutenant looking over his shoulder he told me it was no problem. 

I was talking to a veteran warden.  Frankly, if I were in Southern California I would ask the question again.

The hunting regulations for most States can be found on the net.  I suggest you read them, and then call or visit the warden and get an eye-ball-to-eye-ball answer. 

[Mack in N.C.]

i think you would be legal as long as there is not a rifle shell in you possession......even if you got a ticket a newby lawyer could beat that ticket...mack

[trotterlg]

A slug isn't shot, it is a single piece, shot implies multiple projectiles.  Larry

[wink_man]

Great question.

I have taken the view if I do not have ammo for the rifle then you are not hunting with the rifle. 

Fortunately for you Doug, you live in a state, and not the Socialist Republic of New Jersey. I have been over this with my state MANY MANY times, and the Divisions view of it is, that unless the rifle barrel is PERMANENTLY plugged, it is illeagal to use the gun. I asked them if I were to remove the firing pin for the rifle barrel coiuld I use it, and I get the same answer, the rifle barrel must be PERMANENTLY plugged to consider the rifle unuseable, and therefore legal to use.

[LEO]

I realize I am getting into this a little late but the correct answer is that it depends on the laws of the area in question.  For example in KY during the opening weekend of deer season you could hunt with a combo rifle/shotgun so long as the rifle was centerfire and you only had slugs in your possession (small game season is closed during opening weekend of gun season) after opening weekend you would be fine with slugs and shot so long as it was #2 or smaller because small game season is open again.  In other words your weapon/ammo must comply with season restrictions in place at a given time.  During turkey season you could not use it if turkey hunting because the law specifies that you can't possess a rifle while turkey hunting.  The rest of the year you would be fine unless you opted to hunt migratory birds excluding crows, once again you can't possess a rifle while hunting these species.  So review your particular laws and talk the local wildlife officer and get their views on it or better yet write to the F&W office and ask your questions and get a written reply then make a copy of the letter and carry it with you when hunting if the law is not very clear on what is legal and not and the letter sets out the particulars of the law.