NC .223 Deer hunting?

[BobSmith]

I live in Va but do most of my hunting in NC. In Va it is illegal to hunt big game with a 223 but I am not sure about NC. I know people who deer hunt with a 223 in NC but that does not make It legal. I went to the NC hunting website but could not find any thing about rifle caliber. My 30-06 is still waiting a parkerizing job and is hence out of commission. The only other rifle I own is a 223 which is why I am inquiring. I am not trying to get into an enough caliber discussion here. I am just wondering about the law.

[SevenMM]

The PDF file on this page should provide the information you're looking for.


http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/Regs_Hunt_Trap.htm

[BobSmith]

The PDF file on this page should provide the information you're looking for.


http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/Regs_Hunt_Trap.htm

Thanks a lot 7MM. I already looked through that entire pdf and could not find any rifle caliber restrictions. It does give restrictions on pistol caliber but nothing on rifle. I found something related to this on some other gun forum and they were saying that there was no restrictions on rifle caliber in NC but that was back in 2004 and these things tend to change.

[BobSmith]

The PDF file on this page should provide the information you're looking for.


http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/Regs_Hunt_Trap.htm

Thanks again SevenMM. I found it under frequently asked questions.
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/H_FAQs.htm#caliber

We do not, by statute, define what type of rifle you can hunt with. .22 caliber rifles are legal for taking big game by state law, if they conform to federal firearm guidelines. You cannot use rifles to take/hunt migratory birds or wild turkey. Some local laws also prohibit or may have restrictions on rifle use. Please see the Local Laws section of the Regulations Digest for further information.

[SevenMM]

Well it had to be somewhere on the damn site.

[SevenMM]

Let me know how far you needed to track your deer after you poodle-shooter it.

[BobSmith]

Let me know how far you needed to track your deer after you poodle-shooter it.

I was waiting for that;). I will be sure to let you know.

I can't believe it is legal to take a deer with a 22 in NC.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

the NC game people let that get pushed through because there are so many deer down east around the big farm areas that farmers are actually putting out poison to control them.
those that don't are begging hunters to come take some does. I ran into a Virginia farmer awhile back from the 'piedmont' area that was practically begging me to come up there to take does. IMO the statute should not apply to the western areas of the state but there is no restriction. I have done some 'nuisance' hunting hereabouts (with permit) and I used a .22LR rifle loaded with std velocity rounds in my heavy barrel rifle for head & neck/spine shots to take the animals. no problem, but I still feel the .22 rimfire should not be allowed for general hunter use on deer.

[BobSmith]

the NC game people let that get pushed through because there are so many deer down east around the big farm areas that farmers are actually putting out poison to control them.
those that don't are begging hunters to come take some does. I ran into a Virginia farmer awhile back from the 'piedmont' area that was practically begging me to come up there to take does. IMO the statute should not apply to the western areas of the state but there is no restriction. I have done some 'nuisance' hunting hereabouts (with permit) and I used a .22LR rifle loaded with std velocity rounds in my heavy barrel rifle for head & neck/spine shots to take the animals. no problem, but I still feel the .22 rimfire should not be allowed for general hunter use on deer.

I agree with you about the 22lr cartridge being used on deer. It is a small game cartridge and should be used for that. I know many people who have taken deer with a 22lr but that doesnt make it a deer round by any means.