Virginia County Bans Rifles for Deer Hunting

[kc8ykd]

We can't hunt with a rifle in the lower half of the lower peninsula in Michigan.

I can understand why, considering that is where the majority of the population is located. It's important to have land available where we can hunt with a rifle and the upper half plus the upper peninsula serve that purpose.

(we can still shoot whatever we want at a range)

[Ride the Lightning]

Originally Posted by Terry

With todays modern muzzle loaders and rifled shotgun bbls with sabot slugs you end up with close to the same velocity and range as a standard rifle. I can see the logic of Bow hunting only and maybe shotgun W/buckshot only in some areas. The only thing that works is between your ears. ( brain safety)

Can you really reach out to 300-400 yds with a muzzle loader or shotgun?

I haven't hunted in years and probably won't again, but I still hate this law because it doesn't make sense. Hunting can be done using several different skills. Among those stalking, marksmanship, patience, archery, etc. The very fact that the land is flat has a tendency to take away the ability to use a short range weapon to kill a dear. Some, myself included, are simply not good at close range hunting. There are areas on my place where you can't get closer than 200 yds to a dear depending on the wind. Banning rifles from hunting serves no purpose other than removing long distance marksmanship as a method of killing a dear.

[Terry]

Originally Posted by Ride the Lightning

Can you really reach out to 300-400 yds with a muzzle loader or shotgun?

I haven't hunted in years and probably won't again, but I still hate this law because it doesn't make sense. Hunting can be done using several different skills. Among those stalking, marksmanship, patience, archery, etc. The very fact that the land is flat has a tendency to take away the ability to use a short range weapon to kill a dear. Some, myself included, are simply not good at close range hunting. There are areas on my place where you can't get closer than 200 yds to a dear depending on the wind. Banning rifles from hunting serves no purpose other than removing long distance marksmanship as a method of killing a dear.

Yes the bullet will travel that far. But hitting the target " most likely NOT"
That is my point they will but you can not control where they are going to hit. So would it be safer to use them or tack driving rifle?

I just think a rifle with a good rapid expanding round so not to over penetrate makes more sense to me.

I kill paper at 200 yards all the time with my 50 muzzle loader. But i would never shoot any game out past 150 yards to be on the safe side. One time i got within fourteen feet of hitting a 4x8 sheet of ply wood at 400 yards, Most states do not allow the use of scopes on muzzle loaders, or do they??????

[Ride the Lightning]

Gotcha, I thought you were arguing that a ML or shotgun could be used effectively at the same range as a rifle.

[Cannibul]

Take a break people. Laws like this are NOTHING NEW. When I was growing up in Idaho there were several deer units where you COULD NOT HUNT WITH A RIFLE. Shotgun only. And this was in the late 60's and early 70's. Some restrictions like this actually make sense. When you are in a heavily wooded area that also is close to populated areas then restricting rifles does make sense.

[xdfan80]

Thats how its been for a long time in the lower half of Michigan. You can use bows, shotguns, muzzleloaders and handguns. Its pretty stupid when you consider other than only having one shot, a lot of the modern muzzleloaders are similar to rifles.

[Terry]

The most important thing!!!! We can keep our guns and still hunt.

Teach a child to hunt and be safe , he/she will be happy for a lifetime.

[Liquid Rhino]

Originally Posted by yeahYeah

soon, everyone will have to hunt with water guns - unless those are banned too.

Apparently we might not be able to use spears, blowguns or throw rocks at them either... you never know what's behind them.

Maybe if we just ask them nicely...

[Bree]

Be kind to the animals as you kill them!!

[einheit 13]

Charles city is pretty flat and full of roads that go everywhere. Also the urban sprawl has a big hand in this, not mention the big increase of hunters....I see no problem with it personally....and yes I used to hunt there, but I swear every 50yds is a damn tree stand....too crowded for me....now its only in the mountains of W Va. for deer-20,000 acres with only 12 people that hunt it!