.22mag vs Deer
- Thread starter Moneyshot1982
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Yes Sir! It's my main tool in the box for deer hunting for 35 years now.
As long as they're within 100 yards or less and I can see it's head, it's dead where it stands.
I've only made one bad shot on a deer with a 22 mag. back in 1995, deer was too close and I flat out missed.
I'm not the best shot around, but I was raised on rimfire and was taught how to do it right the first time and make that one shot count.
This method is not suited for everyone.
As long as they're within 100 yards or less and I can see it's head, it's dead where it stands.
I've only made one bad shot on a deer with a 22 mag. back in 1995, deer was too close and I flat out missed.
I'm not the best shot around, but I was raised on rimfire and was taught how to do it right the first time and make that one shot count.
This method is not suited for everyone.
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COLTIMPALA
Yo homie... is that my briefcase?
Dispatch an already shot deer? Yes. To hunt deer? No. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. My .02 cents.
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COLTIMPALA
Yo homie... is that my briefcase?
I'm a firm believer in ethical kills, always, when possible. I've personally seen first hand a head shot using 22wmr at 30ish yards that blew both eyes out of the deer, blinding it essentially but not killing it, and hit had to be shot several more times to kill it after the initial shot. I was a bystander to this, and had no problem expressing that this wasn't ethical nor did it respect the animal.
If it's all you have then fine, but if You're using just because, that's another story.
georgel
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Where to Shoot a Deer With a 22, Survival Tips | Gun Tradition
Many survival guns are small 22lr rifles or pistols. This article addresses the use of such guns to take deer. This article is purely a…
guntradition.com
Stop with the stupid.
It can and has been done. But the %’s of clean kills are too low.
Not worth injuring a good deer.
It can and has been done. But the %’s of clean kills are too low.
Not worth injuring a good deer.
I have shot many hogs with a 22lr. As long as you can consistently shoot 1/4-1/2 moa with a 22mag and know where to shoot, it is equally as ethical to use as a centerfire by someone who shoots 1.5 moa at 300 yards, if not more so.
I think the point that people are making is that if you are getting good clean kills with a .22lr or .22mag, then awesome, keep it up. But some people read that and think "That means I can do it too!" and run out with their little plinker and end up maiming a bunch of deer. Just because it can be done, and just because someone is good at it, doesnt mean it needs to be marketed as "good".
OP
Moneyshot1982
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I know it has and can be done. I was told that it is illegal to use .22 to hunt deer, After I dropped an 8 pointer in his tracks at 85 yards. I have not been able to locate anything on the books referring to a caliber restriction to verify this and was hoping someone one here would be more knowledgeable on the subject.
Define .22
If you don't see it in the regs call and they will explain them to you.
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Moneyshot1982
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.22mag
thrillhill
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Not only is it legal to use .22lr/.22 Magnum in NC for deer, in this one odd area, it is somewhat of a requirement:
Hunting and Trapping
THE FOLLOWING IS UNLAWFUL IN THE COUNTIES INDICATED:
MOORE
- In Sandhill and Mineral Springs townships: (1) hunt any game animal on another’s land without possession of written permission of the owner or lessee; (2) hunt with a rifle of greater than .22 rimfire caliber or capable of firing .22 centerfire ammunition (ie. .223, .22-250, .222 etc are not legal firearms under this law), except that a blackpowder rifle may be used when positioned at least eight feet above the ground. Please refer to township maps for Moore County on County GIS website.
Local Laws by County: I-Z - North Carolina Hunting
Hunting and Trapping The following is unlawful in the counties indicated: Iredell Hunt, any animal or bird on or from the right-of-way of any public road. Jackson Unlawful to kill any wild animal or wild bird with the use of a firearm or to discharge a firearm from, on, or across the right-of-way…
www.eregulations.com
No caliber limit nor magazine limit for hunting in NC, except for migratory game birds. I've had tons of folks tell me that using a .22 caliber was illegal for deer. Now I give them the phone number for the NC Wildlife in Raleigh and tell them to call, I don't have time to argue.
It is required if you want to hunt anything with a rifle other than a muzzle loader. The city fathers evidently do not want people hunting anything in their area with a centerfire rifle because of safety concerns. I doubt they meant to encourage people to hunt deer with a rimfire. I imagine most deer hunters in that region would use a shotgun, muzzle loader, or handgun for deer.Not only is it legal to use .22lr/.22 Magnum in NC for deer, in this one odd area, it is somewhat of a requirement:
Local Laws by County: I-Z - North Carolina Hunting
Hunting and Trapping The following is unlawful in the counties indicated: Iredell Hunt, any animal or bird on or from the right-of-way of any public road. Jackson Unlawful to kill any wild animal or wild bird with the use of a firearm or to discharge a firearm from, on, or across the right-of-way…
georgel
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It's an interesting discussion as it technically has a low percentage of success, yet some have been doing it all their lives. It makes me think of the "Just 'Choot'em" alligator guy. You watch him dispatch alligators with a .22 regularly on the show, but he brings a new guy that's supposed to be a great shot and he can't do it. It's one of those, it works, but only if you know what you're doing things.
In stark contrast to the guys hunting whitetail with 300 Win Mags.
In stark contrast to the guys hunting whitetail with 300 Win Mags.
Old School
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I went hunting (once) with a guy who claimed to be flawless with the .22 mag. He shot a deer and made enough contact with the back of its head to leave blood. The deer bucked up and down shaking it's head and then ran off. He didn't want to pursue it. His response "it's never done that before".
It was a disgusting experience. Pretty much cut off all contact with the guy. When it comes to hunting deer with the .22 mag, I'm in the "just because you can doesn't mean you should" camp. Probably fine for dispatching, although I don't have direct or witnessed experience with it.
Regarding laws, there are some states with caliber restrictions on deer hunting. NC is not one of them.
It was a disgusting experience. Pretty much cut off all contact with the guy. When it comes to hunting deer with the .22 mag, I'm in the "just because you can doesn't mean you should" camp. Probably fine for dispatching, although I don't have direct or witnessed experience with it.
Regarding laws, there are some states with caliber restrictions on deer hunting. NC is not one of them.
No, just fikling no.
This shouldn't even be a discussion.
Yes, a .22RF, mag, .32 snubnose, sharp pencil, pitchfork, all "CAN " do the job. Doesn't mean we should encourage the masses to use them.
My .2 cents, worth exactly what it cost you.
This shouldn't even be a discussion.
Yes, a .22RF, mag, .32 snubnose, sharp pencil, pitchfork, all "CAN " do the job. Doesn't mean we should encourage the masses to use them.
My .2 cents, worth exactly what it cost you.
thrillhill
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Not the city. Township. Every county in NC is divided into townships. The entire county.
You can't hunt with a rifle period in the cities that are in those 2 townships mentioned.
I live in a township. Middle of the woods with no city or town for 8 miles.
😉
When I can lean out of a boat, put the muzzle on the deers brain box and pull the trigger, I ‘ll say it’s a great idea.
Until then, I’ll keep popping them with something a little more dependable.
You see what happened here?
There is a difference in Dispatch of a deer and hunting with one.
Looks like a lot got sidetracked.
I feel the same about using .22 as using arrows- others have the skill, I do not. Also others think they have the skill to kill with a .338 but don't.
Know your limits and don't let your little head lead you.
But yes .22 have kill a load of deer. And 30-30 and 308 have let a ton of deer run off to die
Know your limits and don't let your little head lead you.
But yes .22 have kill a load of deer. And 30-30 and 308 have let a ton of deer run off to die
BigWaylon
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Isn’t that more of a case of a bad shot? Wouldn’t a graze to the head (if I’m reading it right) from a .270, or .308, or most anything else have had the same result?
Old School
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Could be - although those other calibers hit with more force so he wouldn't need to take a higher risk head shot. But to your point, that's an unknown. I'm not going to call and ask him.
It was the arrogance of the "I can use a .22 mag because I never miss" and then the "I missed and don't want to follow that deer" that pissed me off.
georgel
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That's one if my questions... How log did it take, for those good at killing deer with a .22, to get good at killing deer with a .22?
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Moneyshot1982
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That I can’t answer. This is the first deer I have ever killed with a .22mag in 30 plus years of hunting. Not bragging, I’ve always been what I would consider a really good shot. And not affected by “buck fever” maybe skill, maybe beginners (w/.22mag) luck. That said I can’t tell you how many deer I’ve seen shot badly and lamed by high powered Rifles, shotguns and arrows. So for me it doesn’t matter if it’s a .22 or a .50 bmg, it’s up to the shooter to know if they are capable of make the shot or not.
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And a bunch of hogs to.
Two of the deer that we have harvested this year had previous fresh bullet wounds to them. one in the shoulder, and one in the ass, looked like buckshot, not deep penetration, didn't find the bullets though. They were walking around like nothing happened.