Should Indiana deer hunters be allowed to use high-powered rifles.

[Hookeye]

I'm not anti gun, am just anti people (for the most part).
Most of the folks on here (not just outdoor forum) could be sold deer sh*t as wild chocolate covered raisins.

 

[ChrisK1977]

Organic chocolate covered raisins

 

[JimH]

I don't see anyone on here being anti by a long shot.What I do see are some that realize that a good percentage of those deer hunting with cfr's,or any weapon for that matter do not no ballistics of the weapon they are using or their own shooting abilities.Some will think that because Carlos Hathcock made hits 800+ yards with a .308 that they can do better because they have a .300 mag.The Indian is far more important than the arrow.I would definately recommend a lot more hunter orange next year,especially if you hunt along woodlines or field edges.I would also recommend that the C.O's stock up on decoy deer,as I bet they will get a workout!

 

[M4Madness]

I don't see anyone on here being anti by a long shot.What I do see are some that realize that a good percentage of those deer hunting with cfr's,or any weapon for that matter do not no ballistics of the weapon they are using or their own shooting abilities.Some will think that because Carlos Hathcock made hits 800+ yards with a .308 that they can do better because they have a .300 mag.The Indian is far more important than the arrow.I would definately recommend a lot more hunter orange next year,especially if you hunt along woodlines or field edges.I would also recommend that the C.O's stock up on decoy deer,as I bet they will get a workout!

Poachers already use rifles. Why would legalizing them make any difference to a poacher?

I bet there are a ton guys sitting around right now saying, "Man, I can't wait until rifles are legal so I can start poaching!" LOL!

 

[Willie]

Poachers already use rifles. Why would legalizing them make any difference to a poacher?

I bet there are a ton guys sitting around right now saying, "Man, I can't wait until rifles are legal so I can start poaching!" LOL!

Yep... I heard the same thing when I was working on getting crossbows legalized.

"poachers would use them.."

"deer would be shot at a 100 yards.."

"Crossbowers would be shooting other hunters.."

"The herd will be decimated..."

Etc, etc, etc.."

ALL scare tactics...




All scare tac

 

[Hank in Indiana]

I don't see anyone on here being anti by a long shot.What I do see are some that realize that a good percentage of those deer hunting with cfr's,or any weapon for that matter do not no ballistics of the weapon they are using or their own shooting abilities.Some will think that because Carlos Hathcock made hits 800+ yards with a .308 that they can do better because they have a .300 mag.The Indian is far more important than the arrow.I would definately recommend a lot more hunter orange next year,especially if you hunt along woodlines or field edges.I would also recommend that the C.O's stock up on decoy deer,as I bet they will get a workout!

Hathcock used a 30-06.

 

[Mark-DuCo]

Poachers already use rifles. Why would legalizing them make any difference to a poacher?

I bet there are a ton guys sitting around right now saying, "Man, I can't wait until rifles are legal so I can start poaching!" LOL!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has been thinking this when they read or hear about how much worse poaching will get if they open up the caliber range.

 

[Tynimiller]

Okay....couple observations when this debate comes up:

-BOTH extreme thoughts are 100% wrong. To say no bad practices will occur due to this is just absolutely naive and (IMO) stupid beyond belief.

The sad truth is some humans are stupid, some others EXTREMELY STUPID. The average "Joe Hunter" isn't currently using the wildcat rounds that rival or at minimum come close to some of the HPR catridges set to be legal next year....many hit the woods with a shotgun, ML or a pistol caliber rifle (.44mag and such)....they know their guns are not much use over 200 yards (most underestimate their ML due to no education in ballistics). This leads to not many shots being taken over 100 yards or so...granted at times these "Joe Hunters" will empty their guns at 100 yards at deer moving through a corn field but still they aren't hurling bullets 400, 500 or 600 yards across a field. Now in 2015 that same "Joe Hunter" is gonna hear he can use a .308 or 30-06 so he heads to the local gun shop, trades in his current deer gun and maybe $100 and walks out with a single shot H&R or Rossi in .308...the gun shop even tells him "You'll be able to reach out and touch them much farther now!". Next time "Joe Hunter" hits the woods I guarantee you (especially if he has a scope) will take shots TWICE as far as he normally would have. Now this is gonna happen, to think otherwise is proof of not reflecting on the state of humanity.

Now the opposite extreme is also wrong....the idea that the woods will be a warzone and bullets will be flying everywhere is just as naive. The sad truth is while idiots (see above) exist, I would say the massive majority of gun hunters will not be "flinging lead" 500+ yards on the regular for 2 reasons; they either know better (safety of backstop and everything) or they don't hunt terrain that allows those kind of shots.

-The REAL issue isn't the weapon to be used it is the approach that is used.

I used to be 100% opposed to crossbows....but have since learned to accept them, due to much bigger fish are there to fry. Same can be said for the HPRs. Are they needed? Heck no, to think that shows lack of experience with modern MLs or rifled-scoped good slug guns...but I do believe it is going to happen eventually so no use in fighting it...because as I stated THERE ARE MUCH BIGGER FISH TO FRY IN OUR HUNTING COMMUNITY.


If perhaps hunters cared as much about catching/turning in poachers, trespassers, illegal hunting activities our collective hunting community could be something to be proud of and not tarnished by the numerous idiots in our ranks. Education and accountability are the two biggest things we need in Indiana woods in our hunters...that is why I could care less what weapon you use, all I care about is are you safe, ethical and legal in your approach. Funny how some of the same guys furious about this change or others are the same ones that overlook their buddies, themselves or neighbors that do illegal hunting activities.

This sport is only as clean as we collectively make it.

 

[Hookeye]

Poachers already use rifles. Why would legalizing them make any difference to a poacher?

I bet there are a ton guys sitting around right now saying, "Man, I can't wait until rifles are legal so I can start poaching!" LOL!

Easier to hide within the new norm.

BTW, I've called the law several times on poachers.

As for X bows and poaching..............some use them but not many. Arrows don't drop 'em like bullets, so that's not a good deal for a poacher.

My one landowner did have cattle shot, by X bow, yrs ago................folks hunting at night it appears. Of course the cattle were like big puppy dogs, so followed whoever snuck in, and a couple got killed for it.

Farm bordered a sanctuary. Lots of poaching around there.

 

[ChrisK1977]

Poachers will have to high powered rifles, .22's are still hard to find and when you find some it's cheaper to shoot a .30-06

 

[CathyInBlue]

I'm frankly aghast that the venerable .308 WIN and .30-06 haven't been legal deer rifle calibers in Indiana the whole time. When I think of a "deer cartridge", those are what my mind immediately jumps to.

However, totally selfishly, I hope the policy change fails, because it would cause a run on .308 rifles and ammo, and that's to be my next purchase. I don't want all that nasty Capitalism getting in the way of my gun collecting.

 

[iceman4226]

Some places I would say yes and others no It comes down to common since and there you go. So many have lack of! It would not change my caliber S&W 460 & TC Pro Hunter. At best in the woods I hunt at best maybe in 1 spot if the deer stood still I mite have a 90yrd shot. I can read it now up hill shot and missed.

 

[Small's]

This is a good read on the rifle vs shotgun safety issue. The Slug Gun Ricochet Factor > Buckmasters > View All Articles

 

[Hookeye]

What .30-06 bullet did they use to test?
What shotgun slug did they use to test?

Worthless read unless details are given.

More of an Indy Star kinda article IMHO.

 

[dtkw]

My guess is IN is too flat, say you trying to shoot a deer at 400 plus yards and God forbid, missed and the projectile kept going and going and stopped somewhere it shouldn't be.

 

[Woobie]

So what's to stop the same thing from happening during practice, or hunting another species? Give me a break. All you supposedly pro second amendment gun owners are showing your colors now. Since when do we support the government limiting our use of a firearm when there is no victim. There will always be hunting accidents. Bubba will at some point shoot his buddy while he's jumping a fence. Do we honestly believe his buddy will be more dead now than if he had been shot with a slug? Rifle bullets do travel farther. This is the reason thousands of Pennsylvanians are slain each year by errant bullets fired by deer hunters. If you want to continue hunting with your hawken muzzleloader, then by all means, enjoy your hunt. Just don't try to tell me I can't use my preferred equipment.

 

[yote hunter]

Im for gun rights so , yea anyone should be allowed to hunt with HPR.... If that's what they want to do.... +1 for the above post... ^

 

[Hookeye]

Well why have any spec at all?

Just tell 'em your kid is an honor student at some outcome based education facility and you're 2015 deer gun tag will be gold leafed like a Wonka Bar ticket.

 

[confused89]

To all of the people that say Indiana is too flat must not have taken a drive to the southern portion of the state. We have hills. It is the central to the northern part that is flat minus the portion over towards the Wabash. I say yes to it. So that argument is out.

 

[target64]

I would vote NO. My opinion is that any type of shot over 100 yards is not hunting, but target practice. Granted, I have never hunted in Indiana, but done my fair share in central Illinois. Also before the question comes about, my furthest shot was under 35 yards.