Pistol hunting question

[prowler700]

Is their a minimal barrel length for hunting big game with a pistol in ny?

[jjb4900]

yes...read the regulations

[prowler700]

Ill I can find is the max, says any pistol other than rimfire, longer than 16" barrel'and no longer than 8" on an autoloader.

[jjb4900]

I said that because I wouldn't take anyone's advice on here as to what is legal....call DEC, tell them what you have and what you intend to use it for.

[prowler700]

I was thinking of doing that in the first place,but thanks for helping

[apoallo]

if and when you find the answer please post it back on this thread! Id like to know as well. I have an interest in hunting deer with a pistol but never really looked into it at all

[prowler700]

Ill probably call tomorrow and post back

[jjb4900]

IMPLEMENT DESCRIPTIONS FOR BIG GAME HUNTING

The following describes implement requirements for Big Game Hunting. See map 

above to determine where each can be used.

Bow—Long (stick), recurve or compound 

bow with a draw weight greater than 35 lbs. A 

legal arrowhead is nonbarbed, has 2 or more 

cutting edges and is at least 7

⁄8 inches wide.

Muzzleloader—Firearm loaded through 

the muzzle, a minimum bore of .44 inches 

and shooting a single projectile. Scopes 

or fiber-optic sights may be used at any 

time. Double-barreled muzzleloaders and 

percussion cap revolvers are not legal 

during the special muzzleloading season. If 

you hunt with a single-shot muzzleloading 

pistol, you must have a New York State 

pistol permit.

Handgun—Any centerfire pistol or 

revolver. Barrel length may not exceed 16 

inches. Note: Nonresidents may not use 

handguns to hunt in New York.

Shotgun—Must be 20 gauge or larger 

and fire a single projectile. Rifling in the 

barrel or choke is allowed.

Rifle—Any centerfire rifle.

It is illegal to hunt big game with:

•A fully automatic firearm

•A semi-autoloading firearm that holds 

more than 6 shells (except an autoloading 

pistol with a barrel length under 8 inches)

•Any firearm equipped with a silencer

•Any rifle using rimfire ammunition

•A firearm or bow aided by any artificial 

light or a laser that projects a beam 

toward the target (use of illuminated 

reticle scopes, red dot scopes, or illuminated sight pins is allowed, provided 

no light is projected toward the target)

•An air gun

[verminater71]

remember just because somthing is legal don't make it right

 

if I hear about 1 more person hunting with a 4" barrelled .40cal I'm going to lose my mind

[Early]

It would appear that there is no minimum length...only a maximum length of 16".  Personally, I would not hunt with a barrel less than 6".

[WNYBuckHunter]

remember just because somthing is legal don't make it right

 

if I hear about 1 more person hunting with a 4" barrelled .40cal I'm going to lose my mind

 

At the proper range, with proper shot placement and load, a 40 is more than enough to get the job done.

[verminater71]

At the proper range, with proper shot placement and load, a 40 is more than enough to get the job done.

 

 

you keep telling yourself that, teach ethics, not ego

 

the proper range, would be 10 to 15 yards, these guns are designed to kill people up close

 

they were never designed to deer hunt

 

ethics, some will never get it, just because it's legale, don't mean it's right

[WNYBuckHunter]

you keep telling yourself that, teach ethics, not ego

 

the proper range, would be 10 to 15 yards, these guns are designed to kill people up close

 

they were never designed to deer hunt

 

ethics, some will never get it, just because it's legale, don't mean it's right

 

So if the round is capable, how is it unethical? A 223 was never designed to shoot deer with, but its plenty capable if you keep within its limits.

 

10 - 20 yards isnt an impossible feat for you to get in on a deer. Tougher than 50 - 100 yards, yes, Impossible? Ask any bow hunter.

[prowler700]

Called the dec and talked to an officer he said he "believes" their's no minimum length? Got to love ny dec.but I did find if its an autoloader with more than 6 shot the barrel has to less than 8".

[shawnhu]

Called the dec and talked to an officer he said he "believes" their's no minimum length? Got to love ny dec.but I did find if its an autoloader with more than 6 shot the barrel has to less than 8".

Can't really blame the officer for not knowing this oddball question. You're a hunter, and you didn't know either. You do realize DEC officers are State Police first and foremost, and environmental secondary, right? You also know that DEC officers not only enforce hunting, but fishing, as well as pollution and other environmental hazards such as oil spills and waste materials, right? Just thought you should know before you go knocking on a DEC officer next time.

[prowler700]

Yes I do and they give you the ticket if your doing somthing illegal!