8 replies to this topic

[hsiehjohn]

Just wondering if there was any restrictions on the size of firearms used for hunting bunnies and squirrels? And can you use the same firearm on wild turkey?

[Baja_Traveler]

A .22 air rifle is legal to take all three of them - and have. Turkeys require .20 cal or larger.

[hsiehjohn]

A .22 air rifle is legal to take all three of them - and have. Turkeys require .20 cal or larger.

I was at the range and a guy told me it is illigal to shoot a turkey with my .270. I know you don't want to shoot them with a .50 cal because they will most likely blow up in a puff of smoke. But is there such a thing as too big of a caliber when you are taking them out quick, minimizing their suffering?

[JRW]

You can not shoot turkeys with a center fire or rimfire rifle as far as I know. shotgun archery and air guns over 20 cal.

[4RHUNTS]

No rifles or pistols. Shotguns, archery or air guns .20 ca. and over as JRW stated. Turkeys fall under "Resident Small Game".§311. Methods Authorized for Taking Resident Small Game. Only the following may be used to take resident small game: ( a ) Shotguns 10 gauge or smaller using shot shells only and incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined. If a plug is used to reduce the capacity of a magazine to fulfill the requirements of this section, the plug must be of one piece construction incapable of removal without disassembling the gun; ( b ) Shotgun shells may not be used or possessed that contain shot size larger than No. BB, except that shot size larger than No. 2 may not be used or possessed when taking wild turkey. All shot shall be loose in the shell. ( c ) Muzzle-loading shotguns; ( d ) Falconry; ( e ) Bow and arrow (see Section 354 for archery equipment regulations); ( f ) Air rifles firing pellets and powered by compressed air or gas (0.20 caliber minimum for taking wild turkey); and firearm rifles and pistols for taking rabbits and squirrels, except in Los Angeles County, in addition to the methods listed in ( a ), ( b ), ( c ), ( d ) and ( e ) above; ( g ) In San Diego and Orange counties only, rabbits may be taken at any time during the open season by means of box traps. Such traps shall not exceed 24 inches in any dimension, shall be tended at least once every 24 hours, and shall show the name and address of the trap owner. All rabbits taken under this section shall be immediately killed and become a part of the daily bag limit; ( h ) Electronic or mechanically-operated calling or sound-reproducing devices are prohibited when attempting to take resident game birds; ( i ) Coursing dogs may be used to take rabbits; ( j ) Archers hunting during any archery season may not possess a firearm while in the field engaged in archery hunting during an archery season; ( k ) The use of live decoys is prohibited when attempting to take resident game birds; ( l ) Pistols and revolvers may be used to take sooty and ruffed grouse in those counties only and for the season described in Section 300(a)(1)(E). ( m ) Crossbows, except for provisions of Section 354(d) and (g). ( n ) Dogs may be used to take and retrieve resident small game. Amendment filed 8/25/09; effective 9/24/09

[hsiehjohn]

You can not shoot turkeys with a center fire or rimfire rifle as far as I know. shotgun archery and air guns over 20 cal.

I guess I am stuck on the part about the ability to use "firearms and pistols used to take bunnies and squirrels". Since We can use .17 hmr and .22 to shoot bunnies, wouldn't it stand to reason that we can also use them to shoot turkeys? Also, isn't the shot shell a center firing cartridge? I'm not trying to be a pain but just trying to make sure I am reading the regulations correctly.Also, I do not see anywhere in the regs that center fire and rim fire rifle are restricted on turkey. Can anyone shed some light on this part? I'll try to call fish and game for clarification.

[4RHUNTS]

I guess I am stuck on the part about the ability to use "firearms and pistols used to take bunnies and squirrels". Since We can use .17 hmr and .22 to shoot bunnies, wouldn't it stand to reason that we can also use them to shoot turkeys? Also, isn't the shot shell a center firing cartridge? I'm not trying to be a pain but just trying to make sure I am reading the regulations correctly.Also, I do not see anywhere in the regs that center fire and rim fire rifle are restricted on turkey. Can anyone shed some light on this part? I'll try to call fish and game for clarification.

Read them again. They do not really say what you can't use rather what you can. It reads "Methods Authorized for Taking Resident Small Game". It states you can use shotguns. It does not state you can use a rifle or handgun for turkeys.

[ShooterJohn]

Check out and read this PDF file on hunting wild turkey in California. It will tell you everything you need to know. But for the short answer 4RHUNTS is correct.Guide to Hunting Wild Turkey in California (PDF)http://nrm.dfg.ca.go...ocumentID=23229

[hsiehjohn]

I just got off the phone with DFG and it looks like I was reading it wrong. The firearms and pistol only pertain to bunnies and squirrels, that's it; if it's not a bunny or squirrel the statements do not apply. Thanks for the help guys. I just wish they would make the regs a bit easier to read and interpret. I feel like I am studying for the BAR exam.