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Straight Wall States Hunting
- Thread starter 3Crows
- Start date
Appears to be a thing that's going away more than growing.
Lotta hunting regs are made by people who really have no idea what they're talking about. Hunting regs are daft everywhere though. There are areas up here where .275 calibre, by the cartridge name, is the max allowed. A few that say .270, also by the cartridge name. So a .270 Win is ok, despite the .277" bullet, but a .276 Petersen(that used a .284" bullet) is not.
However, most jurisdictions will have a rifle season, a bows only, muzzleloaders only and sometimes a handgun season. Plus they take local firearms ordinances and if you're on private or public land into consideration. And how long the cartridge is and the bullet diameter.
All of it varying considerably between jurisdictions. So it's not so much the firearm as it is the cartridge and where you hunt.
Lotta hunting regs are made by people who really have no idea what they're talking about. Hunting regs are daft everywhere though. There are areas up here where .275 calibre, by the cartridge name, is the max allowed. A few that say .270, also by the cartridge name. So a .270 Win is ok, despite the .277" bullet, but a .276 Petersen(that used a .284" bullet) is not.
However, most jurisdictions will have a rifle season, a bows only, muzzleloaders only and sometimes a handgun season. Plus they take local firearms ordinances and if you're on private or public land into consideration. And how long the cartridge is and the bullet diameter.
All of it varying considerably between jurisdictions. So it's not so much the firearm as it is the cartridge and where you hunt.
NoSecondBest
New member
Actually, it's growing. A number of states with primitive weapons seasons such as muzzle loading seasons, are now allowing certain rifle cartridges to be used in those same seasons. There's a growing interest in the mid-west for those types of cartridges. Some states are making lists of approved cartridges and some are dictating cartridges based on diameter and length which is leading to some creativity with cartridges like the 45-70 being shortened to meet the criteria. Hunter numbers are dropping in some states and the deer herds are increasing. Those states are looking to do two things: get more hunters in the field and control the deer herds.
Appears to be a thing that's going away more than growing.
What?
Many states (or parts of states) have banned center fire rifles for years requiring muzzle loader or shotguns only for big game hunting. Within the last few years some of them, and the number is growing, are now allowing centerfire rifles with some restrictions. Basically they are trying to limit the range stray shots can travel.
The laws vary and have evolved over time. Initially most were only allowing straight walled pistol calibers fired from handguns or rifles. Such as 357, 44 mag and 45 Colt. Lever action rifles are popular in those states.
It is really a mixed bag and it seems to change each year. In some places a semi-auto 44 mag would be legal, but not in others.
The definition of a primitive weaopn varies by state too. In Mississippi any single shot in 35 caliber or larger is considered primitive. Some guys are using single shots in 35 Whelen with modern optics.
It is a complicated mess. I understand the concern in heavily populated regions. But a 44 or 357 mag can easily travel far enough to do as much damage as a 30-06 or 270. A girl was killed several years ago in Ohio by a stray muzzle loader shot from over a mile away. So much for those guns being safer.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amish-...ith-stray-gunshot-will-serve-30-days-in-jail/
Hunting regs are daft everywhere though.
I disagree: Regs hereabouts are made 2 ways: with input from public hearings held around the state and by Law passed by the Legislature, mostly from input from non-hunting folks ....hunting people tend to go to the public hearings .... non-hunting interests tend to own the Legislature ..... goofy stuff comes from the latter....
In Ms for the first primitive weapons season it's a single shot external hammer breech loader in .35 caliber and larger. Smokeless powder and modern optics are legal .35 Whelen and 45-70 are kings. For the last two primitive weapons seasons it's weapon of choice as long as it's legal during regular gun season, so if you want to use your bolt action 30-06 or your 5.56 AR 15 with a 30 round mag you're free to do so.
Appears to be a thing that's going away more than growing.What?
I know Indiana allows real rifles (bottlenecked centerfires that most folks think of as "deer rifles" - .243, 30/30, 270WIN, Aught-Six, etc.) now ....changed in 2016 ....
That's not everywhere .... but it's a statewide win......
Fine Figure of a Man
New member
This was the first year Iowa allowed certain center fire rifles during the regular gun seasons. Strait wall cartridges only, basically anything from 357 mag to 45-70 Govt.
Lever, semi auto, bolt guns all legal. Handguns have been legal for quite a few years with the same cartridge restrictions.
I read somewhere that Iowa was one of 16 maybe 18 states with similar laws.
Lever, semi auto, bolt guns all legal. Handguns have been legal for quite a few years with the same cartridge restrictions.
I read somewhere that Iowa was one of 16 maybe 18 states with similar laws.
D.Poacher ... not definitive proof, but another data point pointing toward more permissive laws as opposed to more restrictive ones .....
..... what statewide laws (let's not get lost in the weeds with the local noise ordinances of East Bug Tussle Township, OH or Pirate Parish, LA's local Gator inch quotas- Statewide stuff) are getting more restrictive?
..... what statewide laws (let's not get lost in the weeds with the local noise ordinances of East Bug Tussle Township, OH or Pirate Parish, LA's local Gator inch quotas- Statewide stuff) are getting more restrictive?
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
Not happening in MN. Highly doubt it ever will due to the shortage of deer in the Northern half of the State. i.e. Grey wolf over population and predication of this States deer herd beyond the expectations of everyone governmental. But~~~those who reside in that part of the State experience the nasty animal and know the bumbling behaviour of this States DNR and those fake politicians in Washington DCs too.
Being a Muzzle Loader hunter I like the idea of keeping the current Law (muzzle Loaders only) as is.
If the use of Straight Wall cartridge guns during Muzzle Loaders season becomes Law. I know those using such breech loading firearms have a big advantage over those who aren't. Such straight wall shooter individuals should be ineligible for modern cartridge deer season. Yesiree!! "Horning in on another sportsman's preferred deer season needs to have consequences."
Being a Muzzle Loader hunter I like the idea of keeping the current Law (muzzle Loaders only) as is.
If the use of Straight Wall cartridge guns during Muzzle Loaders season becomes Law. I know those using such breech loading firearms have a big advantage over those who aren't. Such straight wall shooter individuals should be ineligible for modern cartridge deer season. Yesiree!! "Horning in on another sportsman's preferred deer season needs to have consequences."
Agreed..... when deer are in short supply, "Rule-Beaters" need their B-Hinds beaten ..... I hate in-lines ..... that ain't what they made the season for .... marketing and the Chamber of Commerce and the Insurance Lobby drove that .....f the use of Straight Wall cartridge guns during Muzzle Loaders season becomes Law. I know those using such breech loading firearms have a big advantage over those who aren't. Such straight wall shooter individuals should be ineligible for modern cartridge deer season. Yesiree!! "Horning in on another sportsman's preferred deer season needs to have consequences."
Well, in truth, I would wish for just "deer season" without the divisions. Maybe duck season for slingshots and then another for boomerangs? I am all in for less regulation and total freedom to hunt as ethical and honorable sportsmen and women.
I do not know about this deer shortage but the white tailed woods rats are killing my trees, stomping my garden, ate all my apples and are over running the place not to mention the one that summersaulted over my windshield after taking out a minivan. I am going to convert a few of them in my backyard to venison next year and I feel a whole lot better using non-bottleneck cartridge in the now built up area I live in. I would use my bow but too likely to run off on to another property, not good there.
What do I mean by that, well, a .308 has a crack that echos for miles and a bullet that potentially travels nearly as far and my 45-70 loaded at transsonic or subsonic velocity just makes a low kaboom and at less that 100 yards whatever it hits usually falls over dead.
But, that said, again, I am for just one season, if I had a vote, one long season, choose your hunting weapon as you wish and as suits the local environment. And if we could trust our fellow sportsmen to make good choices we would not need some of the regulations. But I figure we will have world peace long before some of the yahoos I see in the woods learn civility and sportsmanship and honor.
I had a college roommate for a little bit, an odd fellow, much older than me. Had been in Vietnam. His preferred hunting method was to climb into a tree and then wait for a deer to walk under. He would then jump down on it and slit it's throat. Not sure how he learned that method but should there be a specific season for hand to hand combat knife only hunters? Just kidding.
I think we have gotten off track from my initial inquiry. From my OP:
I read more and more on this as a growing thing in some states. Do such states allow lever guns or only primitive type or single shot?
I do not know about this deer shortage but the white tailed woods rats are killing my trees, stomping my garden, ate all my apples and are over running the place not to mention the one that summersaulted over my windshield after taking out a minivan. I am going to convert a few of them in my backyard to venison next year and I feel a whole lot better using non-bottleneck cartridge in the now built up area I live in. I would use my bow but too likely to run off on to another property, not good there.
What do I mean by that, well, a .308 has a crack that echos for miles and a bullet that potentially travels nearly as far and my 45-70 loaded at transsonic or subsonic velocity just makes a low kaboom and at less that 100 yards whatever it hits usually falls over dead.
But, that said, again, I am for just one season, if I had a vote, one long season, choose your hunting weapon as you wish and as suits the local environment. And if we could trust our fellow sportsmen to make good choices we would not need some of the regulations. But I figure we will have world peace long before some of the yahoos I see in the woods learn civility and sportsmanship and honor.
I had a college roommate for a little bit, an odd fellow, much older than me. Had been in Vietnam. His preferred hunting method was to climb into a tree and then wait for a deer to walk under. He would then jump down on it and slit it's throat. Not sure how he learned that method but should there be a specific season for hand to hand combat knife only hunters? Just kidding.
I think we have gotten off track from my initial inquiry. From my OP:
I read more and more on this as a growing thing in some states. Do such states allow lever guns or only primitive type or single shot?
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"...do tell!..." Hi. There are some counties in Southern Ontario(it's not all of it like some people, up here, think) where it is illegal to hunt small game and some where you can't hunt anything with a rifle chambered in any cartridge larger than .275. Most of those are Northwest of TO.
And some counties, mostly neighbours of Toronto, where they specifically say .270. Durham Region, literally directly north of TO, is one of 'em.
It is rumoured that the .275 laws came about just after W.W. I to keep returning service men from using surplused Lee-Enfields. The .270 number was put in place by unelected civil servants who didn't know what they were talking about.
The 'by the cartridge name' part is about the .270 Win and .270 Weatherby Mag being ok, but a .276 Petersen(that isn't .27 calibre anyway and is just an example.) is not.
"...45-70, is going to be over length..." Depends on the State, but the .45-70 is usually mentioned as ok, by name. Indiana says max case length of 3" in a "high powered rifle". .45-70's is 2.105". They also say it applies to private land only. And you can only have 10 rounds on your person when hunting. Daft laws.
And some counties, mostly neighbours of Toronto, where they specifically say .270. Durham Region, literally directly north of TO, is one of 'em.
It is rumoured that the .275 laws came about just after W.W. I to keep returning service men from using surplused Lee-Enfields. The .270 number was put in place by unelected civil servants who didn't know what they were talking about.
The 'by the cartridge name' part is about the .270 Win and .270 Weatherby Mag being ok, but a .276 Petersen(that isn't .27 calibre anyway and is just an example.) is not.
"...45-70, is going to be over length..." Depends on the State, but the .45-70 is usually mentioned as ok, by name. Indiana says max case length of 3" in a "high powered rifle". .45-70's is 2.105". They also say it applies to private land only. And you can only have 10 rounds on your person when hunting. Daft laws.
I don't see the 10 round thing as "daft".... It would discourage wanna be Rambos from hosing down the woods ..... The idea is to humanely kill a deer, not lay down suppressive fire ....... If ya can't get it done in 10 rounds, 20 more won't help ...... And the rest of us will be that much less likely to get hit by a stray bullet.
Jim Watson
New member
How will a .270 minimum bar a .303?
Or is it .270 ONLY?
Or is it .270 ONLY?
I had a college roommate for a little bit, an odd fellow, much older than me. Had been in Vietnam. His preferred hunting method was to climb into a tree and then wait for a deer to walk under. He would then jump down on it and slit it's throat. Not sure how he learned that method but should there be a specific season for hand to hand combat knife only hunters? Just kidding.
In Missouri and Alabama atlatl's are legal.