Hunting Erie County, Ar-15 pistol?

[dieselfuelonly97]

Hello All,

New to the forum and have a question. Screwed up my shoulder yesterday and cannot shoot anything with decent recoil for at least this weekend. I live in erie county and am law enforcement. That being said, ive been considering hunting this weekend with my ar-15 pistol that is on my permit. Since the assault weapon safe act garbage luckily doesn’t apply, there’s still conservation law. I have been looking over the rules and regulations in the guide and cannot see any reason at all im not legal to use it to hunt deer with a 5 round magazine. There are no caliber restrictions and as earlier stated, safe act in my particular situation doesn’t have any bearing. My weapon is also federally legal and meets the definition of a pistol being under 26” over all length as well as a length of pull measured from trigger face to buttstock at under 13.5”. 
Also, yes its a small caliber, this i know. Shots are inside of 50 yards and an using a 77 grain barnes bullet. 
I called two of the local dec agents and am awaiting a phone call back. Anything im missing that you guys can pick up on??

Thank you for any and all help. 
Much appreciated. 

[fasteddie]

What caliber is the pistol ?

 

[dieselfuelonly97]

.223 or 5.56

[suburbanfarmer]

put a dowel in the mag so you cant load more than 5 rounds in a 10 rounder and you are good to go.

Thank you for your service.

[dieselfuelonly97]

22 minutes ago, suburbanfarmer said:

put a dowel in the mag so you cant load more than 5 rounds in a 10 rounder and you are good to go.

Thank you for your service.

Perfect. I have a few five rounders and will go that route. Thank you for your response. Never had an issue with dec and certainly wanna avoid any issues. Good luck tomorrow.  Nail a hoss. 

[suburbanfarmer]

1 minute ago, dieselfuelonly97 said:

Perfect. I have a few five rounders and will go that route. Thank you for your response. Never had an issue with dec and certainly wanna avoid any issues. Good luck tomorrow.  Nail a hoss. 

In case you need more info

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35010.html

[Daveboone]

I would be sure to confirm from a known source the minimum caliber. At one time the minimum caliber for handgun hunting in new york was 35 cal. I know that of course there are many single shot handguns that shoot .30 cal. rounds (30-30, .308, etc) so that well may be old and obsolete, but when I used to assist with teaching NYS hunter safety classes this was a common question.. and like I already mentioned, may no longer be true.

[dieselfuelonly97]

9 minutes ago, Daveboone said:

I would be sure to confirm from a known source the minimum caliber. At one time the minimum caliber for handgun hunting in new york was 35 cal. I know that of course there are many single shot handguns that shoot .30 cal. rounds (30-30, .308, etc) so that well may be old and obsolete, but when I used to assist with teaching NYS hunter safety classes this was a common question.. and like I already mentioned, may no longer be true.

It’s a very slippery slope, as im sure is done for a reason. As far as i can tell, im legal. However, there always seems to be something tucked away and in lawyers terms that the common man will overlook. Again, im sure is vague for a reason. 
 

[Gencountyzeek]

Its a pistol you are good to go in erie county. Before genesee and wyoming county changed i hunted with a thompson center contender in 7-30 waters (30-30 necked down to 7mm). Rifle caliber pistols are a great loophole for restricted counties.

[dieselfuelonly97]

6 minutes ago, Gencountyzeek said:

Its a pistol you are good to go in erie county. Before genesee and wyoming county changed i hunted with a thompson center contender in 7-30 waters (30-30 necked down to 7mm). Rifle caliber pistols are a great loophole for restricted counties.

Pretty much my thought too. It’s a good way to lessen the recoil, be legal and still get out there. Obviously saying, .223 is not my first or anywhere near best choice. Short distance and good bullet selection paired with good shot placement will make for a quick, clean ethical harvest. 

Edited November 20, 2021 by dieselfuelonly97

[fasteddie]

On 11/19/2021 at 9:16 PM, Gencountyzeek said:

Its a pistol you are good to go in erie county. Before genesee and wyoming county changed i hunted with a thompson center contender in 7-30 waters (30-30 necked down to 7mm). Rifle caliber pistols are a great loophole for restricted counties.

I have taken a couple deer with my 7-30 waters Thompson Contender . I wouldn't even consider using my 223 barrel but that's just me .

[mike103]

You are good to go. 223 kills deer. Enjoy.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

[dieselfuelonly97]

Thank you to everyone that responded. Even though I didn’t get an opportunity to pull the trigger, it was great getting out.