Shotgun Only?

If PA were to propose to go to shotgun only like alot of the other midwestern states would you oppose it or welcome it......and for what reason?
 
I myself would welcome it.  I think in conjunction with antler restrictions and having to worry about points to a side it just makes sense.  I also think with urban sprawl in PA it's going to come sooner or later.  Maybe in the units around the major metropolitan areas at first........maybe not even at all in the 'big woods' of Northcentral PA.......but I think sooner or later it'll be an issue for hunters.  And I can't say I'd disagree on such a move where safety is concerned.
 
Is it a coincidence alot of the midwestern "destination states" for big bucks are shotgun only?  Does it also have an impact on the number of big buck that make it through season after season?  I think it does.  I think it forces you to only take "closer" (relative term) shots which are lots of times within nose's reach of whitetails.  Gone would be the 150-300 yard long powerlines shots where deer really don't know you're sitting that far away.
 
Thoughts?
 
 
 
 

Sure would put a damper on the guys in the high houses with the 7mm mags and  300's....I swear they'll shoot as far as they can see.....

id be kinda ticked of. id have to buy slug barrel and a new scope. i dont got the money for that. plus what are you supposed to do with all ur rifles not use them and just let them sit.

I wish i could find the study on this I read a few years back.  An independent agency that was hired by a state suggested that shotguns could acctually be more dangerous because they travel further and retained more energy after a riquochete (spelling?) than bullets.

I did a quick google, here is an article about a study in Pa.  I do not think this was the study I was referring previously to because it was not conducted in Pa.
articlehttp://mainehuntingtoday.com/bbb/2007/03/29/new-study-shows-shotguns-are-not-safer-than-rifles-for-deer-hunting/

It depends what rifle. True slug guns are better now but you cant compare a slug gun to a 300mag. Alot of people use too big of guns for deer.

ORIGINAL: psu_fish

If PA goes to shotgun only, it wont be pretty


First Antler Restrictions, then crossbows, then shotgun only, the PGC will sell 200 licenses statewide

 
Well welcome to Allegheny Co. the land of shotguns, crossguns, and 80K doe tags!!!
 
It wouldn't be anything new for me.
 
The new shotguns certainly don't stack up with a decent high-power cartridge.  But, they have come along way since the days of shooting punkin' balls that had an effective range of about 20 feet...lol. 
 
They now make scopes for the inlines that compensate for yardages out to 300yards!! 

I'm the same way. I wouldnt sell my rifles even if I can't use them here.

ORIGINAL: Esox_Hunter

Since I live in Allegheny Co. all of my local firearm hunting prohibits the use of rifles.  I have no problem with it whatsoever.  I have been doing it for coming up on 11 seasons with a slug-gun.

I am not sure most people know this, a slug gun will kill deer just as dead as a rifle.  If you think shotguns are still limited that much in the range department, it is time to open your eyes.  With the new premium saboted slugs and a rifled barrelled gun you can expect to be able to shoot out to 200+ yards.  The same thing is true about the inline muzzleloaders and they are very accurate, ya just get one shot.  Obviously, if you are going to be shooting at longer ranges with any weapon much practice is needed with the weapon.      

Esox, Gotta agree with this! I own a Mossberg 930 field/deer combo. I sighted in the slug scope just the other day for fun. At at hundred+ yards, I'm beatin' the bull out of the target, (and my shoulder), consistently touching holes at 150. Man that was FUN! Which leads me to my question......

I had so much fun with that slug gun I would LOVE to deer hunt PA with it......but it's semi auto. Here is my "question": Can I modify the gun in any way to legally hunt PA with it? If I put a longer plug in it so it will only hold one shell at a time...does that fly? I know i am probaby reachin' here....just looking for some knowledgeable input....thanx in advance!

2B and 2D should be shotgun only. I'm notsure about the other areas because I'm not familiar with how many houses are in those areas. In my opinion there would be alot less wounded deer and mistake kills if the rifles were taken out of the picture. There are way too many people shooting at doe from hundreds of yards away out of the stands in the middle of the fields. I would love to see how big the racks get with the antler restrictions and gund that only shoot 150 yards. Aside from the pleasure of having a higher number of trophy buck and less wounded deer take into consideration the safety. It seems that every other week I see another driveway being cut in! The big farms are slowly becoming smaller parcels and being sold for new houses. Also I think Sunday hunting should be allowed. With the cost of things every one seems to have to work as much as they can to make ends meet and it's taking even more time away from hunting. I'm fortunate I can hunt almost everyday for a couple hours. Also I think it is a must the Game Commission look at the shotgun only in Allegheny County. There are very few places around the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding Townships and Boroughs that it is safe for use of a shotgun. If they would change this alot more people would allow access to hunting there property. With the use of crossbows it seems they could eliminate guns and give everyone a fair chance.
 
I think the most important thing that should be considered is SAFETY! Then change the doe season back to 3 days seperate from the buck season. The if it's brown it's down gotta stop! We stopped doe hunting on the properties around my camp a few years ago and there is a noticeable difference in the herd size there now

Mr Slickfish....

I read your question about your semi-auto shotgun..

I wrote to a source in Harrisburg and this is the reply I got for you...

Semi- automatic guns can be used for big game hunting if the gas port has been modified so that it will no longer load a round without manually working the action.
 
He would have to check with the Law Enforcement (now Wildlife Protection) Division in Harrisburg on the longer plug question but I doubt that   because it could be easily removed while hunting..

 

ORIGINAL: Dr. Trout

Semi- automatic guns can be used for big game hunting if the gas port has been modified so that it will no longer load a round without manually working the action.
 
He would have to check with the Law Enforcement (now Wildlife Protection) Division in Harrisburg on the longer plug question but I doubt that   because it could be easily removed while hunting..

 

doesnt that defeat the purpose of it being semi-automatic???

might as well just buy a pump

ORIGINAL: MuskyMastr

What are the regs for bear hunting in Allegheny co?  Is that shotgun only as well?

 
Yes, same firearm restrictions apply.  I am half tempted to give it a shot this year, there have been some repeated sightings on an adjacent property to one of the ones I hunt.  It sure would be cool to chalk up a bear kill in Allegheny, I am sure it has been quite a while since the last one.

Mossberg 500 Ported Rifled Slug Barrel with Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 scope shooting 300gr hornaday sst sabot rounds....100yrds dead where it stands...

Personally I think in some cases a slug gun is better than a rifle, but for a well placed shot on an animal over 100yrds away you cant beat 1 shot 3000fps out of a high powered rifle...Maybe what Pa should do in restricted areas is go to single shot rifles instead making hunters use shotguns only.  1 precise shot is alot more safe than unloading a slug gun at an animal
 
A modern inline muzzleloader these days are pretty darn accurate out to 200yrds...Im considering buying one for next season...Ive heard once you shoot one you will not look at a slug gun the same again.