Posted: 3/2/2010 7:57:04 AM EDT
| I am doing some research on hunting regulations in states adjacent to PA. We are not allowed to use semi auto rifles here for any hunting purpose. What are the regs regarding semi autos in New York? I looked in the New York online hunting regulations and it appears that one can use a semi auto with a capacity of 5 cartridges or less (in certain areas/counties) but I just want to confirm. What about using a semi auto for small game or groundhogs? Is this legal in New York? Thanks for the info. |
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Yes, you can use semi-auto firearms to hunt in NY, for both big game and small game, with a capacity of no more than 5 rds (in the magazine, so 5+1 really). Capacity requirement is reduced to no more than 3 rounds for migratory (waterfowl) bird hunting, and does not apply for rimfires used in small game hunting.
From the DEC website: May take game with any semi-automatic firearm with a capacity to hold more than 6 rounds, EXCEPT the following semi-automatic firearms: 1. firearms using .22 or .17 caliber rimfire ammunition, or 2. firearms altered to reduce their capacity to no more than 6 shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined, or 3. autoloading pistols with a barrel length of less than eight inches. For reference: DEC Website Hunting Regs HTH... |
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Guys,
Thanks for the information. I am not (at this time) planning on hunting in NYS. I am compiling a list of the regulations of the states adjacent to PA. I am thinking of writing some letters to the Game Commissioners and local representatives pointing out to them how backwards PA's regulations are. I thought that it might be helpful to show that almost all of the adjacent states allow hunting with semi auto rifles in some form or other. |
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Quoted:
Yes, you can use semi-auto firearms to hunt in NY, for both big game and small game, with a capacity of no more than 5 rds (in the magazine, so 5+1 really). Capacity requirement is reduced to no more than 3 rounds for migratory (waterfowl) bird hunting, and does not apply for rimfires used in small game hunting. From the DEC website: May take game with any semi-automatic firearm with a capacity to hold more than 6 rounds, EXCEPT the following semi-automatic firearms: 1. firearms using .22 or .17 caliber rimfire ammunition, or 2. firearms altered to reduce their capacity to no more than 6 shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined, or 3. autoloading pistols with a barrel length of less than eight inches. For reference: DEC Website Hunting Regs HTH... So I can't finish them off with my less-than-8-inch barrell semiautomatic handgun? But a .38 snubbie would be alright? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Yes, you can use semi-auto firearms to hunt in NY, for both big game and small game, with a capacity of no more than 5 rds (in the magazine, so 5+1 really). Capacity requirement is reduced to no more than 3 rounds for migratory (waterfowl) bird hunting, and does not apply for rimfires used in small game hunting. From the DEC website: May take game with any semi-automatic firearm with a capacity to hold more than 6 rounds, EXCEPT the following semi-automatic firearms: 1. firearms using .22 or .17 caliber rimfire ammunition, or 2. firearms altered to reduce their capacity to no more than 6 shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined, or 3. autoloading pistols with a barrel length of less than eight inches. For reference: DEC Website Hunting Regs HTH... So I can't finish them off with my less-than-8-inch barrell semiautomatic handgun? But a .38 snubbie would be alright? I don't think so. Read the whole section I think you'd be ok with the semi. Manner of Taking It is illegal to take or hunt wildlife: * while in or on a motor vehicle (except by the holder of a Non Ambulatory Hunter Permit). * with the aid of a vehicle's lights. * on or from any public road. * with any firearm equipped with a silencer. * with any firearm which continues to fire as long as the trigger is held back (an automatic firearm). * with a spear. * with a bow equipped with any mechanical device which is attached to the bow (other than the bowstring) for drawing, holding or releasing the bowstring, except for a hunter with a disability who is in possession of a Modified Archer Permit (compound bows are legal). * with a spear gun or crossbow except for a hunter with a disability who is in possession of a Modified Crossbow Permit. * with an arrow with an explosive head or shaft. * with any device designed or intended to deliver drugs to an animal. * with any semi-automatic firearm with a capacity to hold more than 6 rounds, EXCEPT the following semi-automatic firearms: 1. firearms using .22 or .17 caliber rimfire ammunition, or 2. firearms altered to reduce their capacity to no more than 6 shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined, or 3. autoloading pistols with a barrel length of less than eight inches. |
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Quoted:
Guys, Thanks for the information. I am not (at this time) planning on hunting in NYS. I am compiling a list of the regulations of the states adjacent to PA. I am thinking of writing some letters to the Game Commissioners and local representatives pointing out to them how backwards PA's regulations are. I thought that it might be helpful to show that almost all of the adjacent states allow hunting with semi auto rifles in some form or other. In NY it depends on the county as to whether you can hunt big game with a rifle or shotgun only. |
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Quoted: In NY it depends on the county as to whether you can hunt big game with a rifle or shotgun only. In WC hunting turkey/big game/small game or even being afield with a rifle/shotgun/pistol/muzzle loader is prohibited. In other counties the regulations are are different for hunting turkey/big game/small game with a rifle/shotgun/pistol/muzzle loading rifle/muzzle loading shotgun/muzzle loading pistol. The DEC website redesign makes it clear as mud. Download the full hunting/trapping guide for all the various rules/regulations for taking game. http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/09hunttrap.pdf |
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Quoted:
So I can't finish them off with my less-than-8-inch barrell semiautomatic handgun? But a .38 snubbie would be alright? ETA...nevermind....didn't it used to be minimum of 4" for Pistols??? Dunno what it was, but now you can carry a Glock 19 and go deer hunting in pistol hunting zones if you are so inclined. I carry either my 6" .357magnum Security Six or my Smith and Wesson 1006 semi-auto 10mm handgun. I got a deer last fall with my SW 1006 
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This well help outline for hunting big game. Remember if you live in a shotgun county you best be not hunting small game with a rifle during big game season. For example don't be walking around with a rifle hunting coyote during deer season. It is the DECs discretion as to write a ticket or not. There are some DEC instructors on this board who can shed more light.
ETA let me rephrase hunting with a rifle I mean centerfire not rimfire. |
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Quoted:
Guys, Thanks for the information. I am not (at this time) planning on hunting in NYS. I am compiling a list of the regulations of the states adjacent to PA. I am thinking of writing some letters to the Game Commissioners and local representatives pointing out to them how backwards PA's regulations are. I thought that it might be helpful to show that almost all of the adjacent states allow hunting with semi auto rifles in some form or other. Yep, the Socialist Republic of New York, as backwards as we are on many things, are at least is not too out of touch with modern hunting regs. I never understood some of the regs that PA uses or why. |
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Quoted: Yep, the Socialist Republic of New York, as backwards as we are on many things, are at least is not too out of touch with modern hunting regs. I never understood some of the regs that PA uses or why. Don't count on it for too long. The DEC was very well run before Spitzer/Paterson appointed an anti/hunting animal rights activist as the DEC commissioner. |