List of states that allow 223 for deer

G

Glenn E. Meyer

New member
Given the debate about EBRs, I was wondering about state restrictions on using 223 for hunting. Google gave me pages of discussion but not a comprehensive list.

Might have missed it. Anyone know of such?

Thanks

Glenn
 
Never saw a comprehensive list of states where deer hunting with a .223 is legal.

In OK the .223 is legal for deer and elk. The bullet must weigh at least 55 grains.
 
Here is a pretty good list, but my info is from 2008 so some of it might be dated. I bookmarked this list several years ago.
Alabama- centerfire
Alaska- centerfire
Alberta- .23 and up centerfire
Arizona- centerfire
Arkansas- .22 and up centerfire
California- centerfire
Colorado- .24 and up, 70grn or larger bullet/ minimum of 1000ft/lbs at 100 yards
Connecticut- .243 and up if legal in your area
Delaware- shotgun/muzzle loader
Florida- centerfire
Georgia- .22 and up centerfire
Hawaii- Any rifle with at least 1200 ft/lbs of ME. This would start at around .223 I think
Idaho- Centerfire (cannot weigh more than 16 lbs?)
Illinois- Shotgun/ML/Pistol onlyIndiana- Rifles with pistol calibers/shotgun/ML/Pistols
Iowa- .24 or larger centerfire only for antlerless season in part of the state.
Kansas- .23 or larger centerfire (actually says larger than .23 so maybe .24 is the mininum)
Kentucky- centerfire
Louisiana- .22 and up centerfire
Maine- .22 magnum rimfire and up!
Manitoba- Centerfire, but it says .23 and below not recommended. Does not say illegal though.
Maryland- ME of at least 1200 ft/lbs
Mass- Shotgun/ML
Michigan- centerfire in certain areas
Minnesota- .24 and up centerfire
Mississippi- No restrictions that I could find
Missouri- centerfire
Montana- No restrictions
Nebraska- Rifles with 900 ft/lbs or more at 100 yards
Nevada- .22 centerfire and up
New Hampshire- centerfire
New Jersey- shotgun only
New Mexico- centerfire
New York- centerfire
North Carolina- No restrictions
North Dakota- .22-.49 centerfire
Nova Scotia- .23 and up
Ohio- Shotgun/ML
Oklahoma- centerfire with 55 grn or heavier bullet
Ontario- centerfire
Oregon- .22 centerfire and upPennsylvania- centerfire
Quebec- 6mm/.243 and up
Rhode Island- shotgun/ML*
Saskatchewan- .24 and up
South Carolina- centerfire
South Dakota- rifles with 1,000 ft/lbs or more ME
Tennessee- centerfire
Texas- centerfire
Utah- centerfire
Vermont- No restriction
Virginia- .23 centerfire and up
Washington- .24 centerfire and up
West Virginia- .25 rimfire and up and all centerfire
Wisconsin- .22 centerfire and up
Wyoming- .23 centerfire and up
Click to expand...
 
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.223 is legal is SC, but post #8 incorrectly lists all centerfire rifles are legal. In SC bullet diameter must be .220 or larger.
 
Wyoming changed it's laws this year, a 223 is now legal for deer and antelope, but the bullet has to be 60 gr or heavier.
 
I saw a list about a year ago. I believe the same list Taylorce1 posted. At that time there were 6 states I believe that were shotgun only and did not allow any rifles. There were 6 others that allowed rifles, but not 223. Since then I know Wyoming has changed their laws and I believe one more state. That gets the number to either 4 or 5 that allow rifles, but not 223. Ten or 11 total.
 
Georgia is .22 centerfire and up for deer and such. So .223 is a go.

Varmits can be taken with rimfire or the .204 Ruger and such.
 
+1 for Vanya. I agree with his comment. But I would have preferred our MN DNR have left the minimum legal rifle caliber set at the previous 2000 listing. Instead of there current policy/Law.

S/S
 
The only firearm restriction in FL is for BP - .40 or larger; otherwise any centerfire, bow, crossbow, etc - but no full auto, suppressed

The full no-nos are here:

Prohibited methods and equipment for taking game

This document doesn’t address or advise persons as to local ordinances prohibiting the discharge of firearms or as to the validity of such ordinances.
Taking migratory game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds (plugged)
Centerfire semi-automatic rifles having magazine capacities of more than five rounds when hunting deer
Nonexpanding full metal case (military ball) ammunition for taking deer
Firearms using rimfire cartridges for taking deer
Rifles or pistols for taking migratory game birds
Fully automatic or silencer-equipped firearms
Explosive or drug-injecting arrows
Taking or attempting to take game with live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial lights, nets, traps, snares, drugs or poisons
Shooting from vehicles, powerboats or sailboats moving under power. Motors must be shut off or sails furled, and the vessel’s progress must cease from such motor or sail before hunters may take wildlife.
Herding or driving wildlife with vehicles, boats or aircraft
Hunting turkeys with dogs
Taking turkeys while they are on the roost
Taking migratory game birds over baited areas
Taking turkeys over baited areas
Taking turkeys when the hunter is within 100 yards of a game-feeding station when feed is present
Taking spotted fawn deer or swimming deer
Hunting with bows equipped with sights or aiming devices with electronic computational capabilities or light projection (laser) features during archery season
Hunting resident game using bows and crossbows with draw weights less than 35 pounds
Using dogs without collars that identify the owners name and address
Using dogs on private lands without written landowner permission
Taking game with modern firearms while hunting during archery, crossbow and muzzleloading gun season
Placing, exposing or distributing soporific, anesthetic, tranquilizer, hypnotic or similar drugs or chemicals; preparation by baits; or by other means where game birds or game animals may be affected, unless authorized by permit from the FWC executive director
Click to expand...

Love the prohibition against using explosive or drug-injecting arrows
 
+1 for Vanya. I agree with his comment. But I would have preferred our MN DNR have left the minimum legal rifle caliber set at the previous 2000 listing. Instead of there current policy/Law.
Click to expand...

For those of us not from MN, how has the law changed since 2000. I noticed Vanya's post differs from the info posted by Taylorce1 for MN.
 
Since you've asked. taylorce1 posted for refference only. But still an out-dated list. (2008 as stated at the very top of his page.) Yanya on the other hand his info is the most recent to date. (Probably 2012.) Now to answer your question. Prior to 2000. The minimum caliber for big game hunting in MN was any caliber above 223 with needing an overall lengh of 1-1/2 or 1-3/4" not to sure on the overall length measurement. But I'm close. Keep in mind a Medium size doe here can weigh 140 plus and a medinum size 6 point weighs near 170 plus in live weight. 8-10 points are well over 200 usually. As I recall years ago just North of where I hunt 25-30 mi. Some lucky hunter shot a white tail buck the tipped the scales at two weight in locations 405 live weight.

S/S
 
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