Shotgun magazine capacity for hunting?

williamN · 04-06-2008, 07:31

I was told by someone that the law was recently changed to allow more than 3 rounds in a shotgun for hunting.

In the rules and regs for 2007-2008 it still states a limit of 3rds but the brochure would have been printed before the law changed ( if there was a change ).

Anyone know if this is true?

Scott30 · 04-06-2008, 09:46

It is true depending on the game you are hunting. The law changed in 2007. I do not have the regs in front of me but it has to do something with whether the game is considered "migratory" or not IIRC. Deer hunting you can have more than 3. Go to the Va DGIF website for the most up to date info.

williamN · 04-06-2008, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott30

It is true depending on he game you are hunting. The law changed in 2007. I do not have the regs in front of me but it has to do something with whether the game is considered "migratory" or not IIRC. Deer hunting you can have more than 3. Go to the Va DGIF website for the most up to date info.

Thanks for the reply. I just found the answer and was coming here to report.
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/news/release.asp?id=149

Scott30 · 04-06-2008, 09:57

Here you go. I looked it up for you. You posted while I was looking it up but here it is for others.

Shotgun And Rabbit Regulation Changes Effective October 26, 2007
The Board of Game and Inland Fisheries passed a regulation that took effect on October 26, 2007 that makes it legal to use unplugged shotguns for the hunting and taking of non-migratory game (this includes deer, bear, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, quail, bobcat, coyote, fox, raccoon, opossum, groundhog, and skunk). This is a change from what is printed in the Hunting & Trapping in Virginia, July 2007-June 2008 Regulations digest, in the second bullet under Legal Use of Firearms on page 21.

Shotguns must still be plugged to a three shell capacity if hunting and taking migratory game (this includes doves, crows, all ducks, all geese including resident Canada geese, tundra swans, rail, snipe, woodcock, gallinules, and moorhens).
The Board also passed a modification to the rabbit season, which begins November 3, 2007, by extending the season to the last legal hunting day in February. This change will be effective for this season. This is different from the season ending date listed in this year's Hunting & Trapping in Virginia, July 2007-June 2008 Regulations digest. All other rabbit hunting regulations as outlined in the regulations digest remain in effect.

Bonk · 04-06-2008, 11:23

So, the short version:
feathers = plug
no feathers = no plug

...and you'll be fine.

[suddenly starts thinking of my Mossberg 590A1 as a squirrel gun]

Wolfgang · 04-06-2008, 14:00

almost that simple---it's been so long since I saw quail---don't they have feathers?

I've been thinking of getting some for the farm...any chance they might survive in Pittsylvania Co? They are so cute!

williamN · 04-06-2008, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfgang

almost that simple---it's been so long since I saw quail---don't they have feathers?

I've been thinking of getting some for the farm...any chance they might survive in Pittsylvania Co? They are so cute!

If there are any feral cats around forget it. One feral cat can decimate a covey of quail.