Nuther confirmation.
I've had this exact discussion with a game warden last year, and you're A-okay with a rifle.
The shotgun-only restrictions apply to deer-with-firearm only.
You may hunt 'yotes in shotgun country with .223.
Gonna be a tough hunt though.
I've never seen one and had a rifle at the same time.
They're awfully alert.
I've been doing some early deer scouting, teaching the wife to find game in the northern Kettles.
(She wants to take a Bambi.)
I don my backtag and carry a rifle just incase we come across an unlucky 'yote, but I know it'll never happen.
I did have a nice shot on a 8-12 point buck last time.
It tore me up inside to stand there and watch him with a rifle in my hands and not be able to take the shot.
A voice in my head kept saying, "There he is ... swing it up ............. there he is ... SWING - IT - UP ...."
Where ya been going? Southern Kettles? How is it there?