Can you hunt deer with semi-auto in VA?

[notofnow]

Interested in hunting this year, been almost 20 yrs since i last went in N Carolina. Got a Saiga 308 last time gun show was at Chantilly so was wondering if hunting deer with a semi-auto is legal. The hunting regulation link is down.

[Vahunter]

Yep it's legal herein Va. I don't know about NC. You can even use it with a can, I thought about putting one on my predator rifle. The only guns you can't use here are full-auto's for hunting. Good luck and welcome to the site.

[WRW]

Yep it's legal herein Va. I don't know about NC. You can even use it with a can, I thought about putting one on my predator rifle. The only guns you can't use here are full-auto's for hunting. Good luck and welcome to the site.

It has been a while, but if it hasn't changed each county will have a description of arms acceptable...some are shotgun only.

[zephyp]

Yep it's legal herein Va. I don't know about NC. You can even use it with a can, I thought about putting one on my predator rifle. The only guns you can't use here are full-auto's for hunting. Good luck and welcome to the site.

It has been a while, but if it hasn't changed each county will have a description of arms acceptable...some are shotgun only.

There are also caliber restrictions. For deer must be .23 or larger.

[WRW]

There are also caliber restrictions. For deer must be .23 or larger.

Yes. The OP listed a .308 but the caliber restrictions are worthy of note as well.

[notofnow]

Cool, thanks everyone for the info. BTW: Vahunter said you can use a can so i guess there is no less than 5 rounds in your magazine if you r using a semi?

[Vahunter]

Cool, thanks everyone for the info. BTW: Vahunter said you can use a can so i guess there is no less than 5 rounds in your magazine if you r using a semi?

There is no limit on the the number of rounds your mag can hold. But the way I see it if someone needs more than 1 shot per deer then a trip to the range is in order.

[notofnow]

The reason I asked is because if there is a 5 round limit, i would have to go buy an extra magazine, all i have is an 8 rd.

[Tinygnat219]

To be honest, if I see someone walking around in the woods with an AK-47 deer hunting I have to question their seriousness and dedication to the craft. How they can walk around with a banana clip snagging on brush all the time is a mystery to me.

In all seriousness, you won't need more than one magazine for hunting in VA. There are no magazine limits, unless you are on one of the Federal bases (Quantico Shotgun only, AP Hill Shotgun only), and the different counties will have restrictions on what can be used as well.

I tried hunting with an SKS, got buck fever and missed with all 10 rounds. Switched to a Remington 721 in 30.06 with a 4 round bolt action magazine. I haven't missed since.

[notofnow]

1. That's what is so cool about this country. You can question whatever you want and have the freedom to do what others questions. As for the AK reference, the Saiga was built to be a hunting rifle with more accuracy than an ak but still have the excellent reliability. It can also serve as a mbr should the need arise (hopefully will never happen). Besides, didn't feel like dropping money for a hunting rifle and a self defense carbine when i could have both in one.

2. I know i should only need one magazine, hopefully 1 bullet will do but you're right, maybe i should get a 3 rd or the 5 rd magazine anyways. The 8 rd isn't the banana clip like you're referring to but it does stick out a tad bit further out than a 5rd would. The 20 and 30 rd magazines r the banana clips.

3. The SKS with the 7.62x39 round isn't exactly known for accuracy and buck fever probably didn't help. The Saiga 308 has much tighter groupings and is fairly accurate out to 300 yds. As woodsy as this place is doubt if i would need anything more besides aren't most deer killed within 60 yrds or less? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anything bad about your Remmington, just wanted something that could play a dual role.

Not trying to make anyone mad with my response and if i did, i do apologize.

[jdonovan]

Probably the best place to go is the VA DGIF web site for current regulations.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/re ... eneral.asp

Everything everyone has said is correct for state-wide regulations, but Virginia is VERY heavy in county/town restrictions which can superseded state-wide hunting regulations.

[CajunBass]

I wrote to the DGIF a couple of years ago to verify that it would be legal to deer hunt with an SKS. Having lived and hunted in "shotgun only (as stated above, make sure of your counties regulations) I didn't know a lot about rifles. I was 99.9% sure it was ok, but just wanted to check.

The fellow who wrote back was quite helpful. He assured me there was no magazine capacity limit so that wouldn't be a problem, the 7.62x 39 mm round was bigger than .23 cal, so that wasn't a problem, and "just keep the bayonet folded and it won't be a problem."

I would no more question someone's dedication to hunting if they were using an AK than I would any other gun. It may not be perfect, but that doesn't mean you can't hunt with it, any more than my old buddy who used to hunt with a Zouave musket. I'm just glad to see that (1) he owns a gun, and (2) he's hunting. Sure, he might have 30 rounds in the magazine. That doesn't mean he has to use but one.

When I was looking to use the SKS it was the only rifle I had. I really didn't have the money then, or the desire to go out and buy a deer rifle. Since then I purchased a Marlin 30/30, but the SKS would have done the job.

[MuShuGordon]

So, can't shoot with a full auto, eh? Darn, if I ever get that MP5k I want SO bad I can't go spraying out in the woods with it.

You are correct in most deer shots are taken below 60 yards. Most of the time because the terrain does not permit for much more than that.

One shot is all you should need in a deer. But what happens if you see a few of them and you want to see how many you can shoot before they get away? You may need those 30 rounds. I'm joking there, just thought it was funny.

[Vahunter]

Since we have a two deer a day bag limit a semi-auto may come in handy for some people. But if you get a couple or more together getting two out of the bunch isn't hard. I've done it with a bolt action rifle and a muzzleloader.

[zephyp]

Yup, alot of times the younger does will stand around for a bit after you shoot one. And they are tasty...mmmm (no I'm singing about obufoon).

[45XDC]

Since we have a two deer a day bag limit a semi-auto may come in handy for some people. But if you get a couple or more together getting two out of the bunch isn't hard. I've done it with a bolt action rifle and a muzzleloader.

I made the mistake of taking two with my Remington 700 once, about a mile from the nearest trail. It made for a long day and a lot of work -dressing, dragging (both deer and stand), and butchering two in one day, alone. Since then I have on several occasions shot one in the morning and another around sunset, but I'll never shoot two at the same time again. Well...- if they both have big racks and its not too long of a drag I might.

[MuShuGordon]

Since we have a two deer a day bag limit a semi-auto may come in handy for some people. But if you get a couple or more together getting two out of the bunch isn't hard. I've done it with a bolt action rifle and a muzzleloader.

I made the mistake of taking two with my Remington 700 once, about a mile from the nearest trail. It made for a long day and a lot of work -dressing, dragging (both deer and stand), and butchering two in one day, alone. Since then I have on several occasions shot one in the morning and another around sunset, but I'll never shoot two at the same time again. Well...- if they both have big racks and its not too long of a drag I might.

Ever shot two deer with one shot? I haven't, heck, I've never shot a deer.