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Pistol grip shotgun

beradcee

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Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
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Does anyone know if there is anything about not being able to hunt with a pistol grip shotgun? I thought that I had seen some turkey guns with them tho. Also, folding stocks. Basically I want to know if the Mossberg 500 JIC is legal to hunt with. I realize that they are designed for home defense, short barrel, all that good stuff. Just want to know if I can hunt with it.
 

67GT390FB

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beradcee wrote:
Does anyone know if there is anything about not being able to hunt with a pistol grip shotgun? I thought that I had seen some turkey guns with them tho. Also, folding stocks. Basically I want to know if the Mossberg 500 JIC is legal to hunt with. I realize that they are designed for home defense, short barrel, all that good stuff. Just want to know if I can hunt with it.

The short answer is yes you can hunt with a pistol grip shotgun.

the longer answer is if it holds more than 2 shells in the magazine you cannot hunt migratory game animals such as dove,ducks,geese(for a full list got to VDGIF.gov) there is no shell capacity limit anymore for large and small non migratory game(deer,bear,turkey,rabbits, etc). if you want to hunt migratory game you will need to install a plug in the magazine on the spring side to prevent more than two shells from being loaded at a time. this leaves you with a 2+1 capacity which is legal.

what choke is in the gun?

also as a warning there is not statewide preeemption in place for game laws so in addittion to state game laws each county can have their own rules and regulations. these generally have to do with what you can and cannot hunt with in certain counties, such as shotgun only, shotgun but no slugs, shotgun with slugs but no rifled barrels,rifles allowed but only from elevated stands, shot gun/no slugs/but blackpowder ok year round, no restrictions on what you may use.

in order to navigate this morass of differing county regs download the rulebook from the DGIF website or pick it up at your local sporting goods store when you get your license. there is an entire section in there that is dedicated to listing the additional regs and is broken down by county.

have you had a hunting license before or have you taken a hunter safety course, or are you going to utilize the apprentice hunter license this year?
 

vrwmiller

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Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment
Special restrictions may apply to specific firearms use in some counties. See Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

* No restrictions on shot size except for spring gobbler season when it is unlawful to have any shot in possession larger than number 2 fine shot while hunting.
* Shotguns must not be larger than 10 gauge.
* Unplugged shotguns are legal for hunting non-migratory game.
* Shotgun barrels must be at least 18 inches long.
* Shotguns with rifled barrels are permitted in areas where slugs may be used.
* All game birds and animals, except deer, may be hunted with shotguns from boats. Hunters must have permission from the landowner to hunt/ retrieve game located on private land.
* Rifles used for deer or bear must be .23 caliber or larger.
* Rifles may be used for taking wild animals and birds, except migratory game birds and waterfowl, and where prohibited by local ordinances.
* Rifles, pistols, and revolvers may be used for hunting crows, except where prohibited by local ordinances.
* Rifles, pistols, and revolvers may be used for hunting turkeys, except where prohibited by local ordinances.
* Pistols, revolvers and muzzleloading pistols may be used for small game except where prohibited by local ordinances.
* Muzzleloading shotguns, muzzleloading rifles or archery tackle may be used to hunt during the firearms seasons where not prohibited.
* Pistols and revolvers are lawful for deer and bear hunting only in those counties where hunting deer and bear with rifles is lawful. Cartridges used must be .23 caliber or larger and have a manufacturer's rating of 350 foot-pounds muzzle energy or more.
* Concealed handguns may be in the possession of hunters during the archery and muzzleloading seasons when they also possess a valid concealed handgun permit. Such handguns may not be used to shoot wild animals during these seasons.
* Archery tackle may be used for hunting wild birds and animals.
Source

VA DGIF regulations say nothing about a pistol grip, but does have some regulations regarding length, etc. Additionally, some counties may also have local ordinances that go further.
 

67GT390FB

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Richmond, Virginia, USA
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vrwmiller wrote:
Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment
Special restrictions may apply to specific firearms use in some counties. See Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

* No restrictions on shot size except for spring gobbler season when it is unlawful to have any shot in possession larger than number 2 fine shot while hunting.
* Shotguns must not be larger than 10 gauge.
* Unplugged shotguns are legal for hunting non-migratory game.
* Shotgun barrels must be at least 18 inches long.
* Shotguns with rifled barrels are permitted in areas where slugs may be used.
* All game birds and animals, except deer, may be hunted with shotguns from boats. Hunters must have permission from the landowner to hunt/ retrieve game located on private land.
* Rifles used for deer or bear must be .23 caliber or larger.
* Rifles may be used for taking wild animals and birds, except migratory game birds and waterfowl, and where prohibited by local ordinances.
* Rifles, pistols, and revolvers may be used for hunting crows, except where prohibited by local ordinances.
* Rifles, pistols, and revolvers may be used for hunting turkeys, except where prohibited by local ordinances.
* Pistols, revolvers and muzzleloading pistols may be used for small game except where prohibited by local ordinances.
* Muzzleloading shotguns, muzzleloading rifles or archery tackle may be used to hunt during the firearms seasons where not prohibited.
* Pistols and revolvers are lawful for deer and bear hunting only in those counties where hunting deer and bear with rifles is lawful. Cartridges used must be .23 caliber or larger and have a manufacturer's rating of 350 foot-pounds muzzle energy or more.
* Concealed handguns may be in the possession of hunters during the archery and muzzleloading seasons when they also possess a valid concealed handgun permit. Such handguns may not be used to shoot wild animals during these seasons.
* Archery tackle may be used for hunting wild birds and animals.
Source

VA DGIF regulations say nothing about a pistol grip, but does have some regulations regarding length, etc. Additionally, some counties may also have local ordinances that go further.
thats because if it is under 18" its a NFA SBS and thus pretty universally restricted. I know DGIF restricts full-auto also by the way. There is some question about the use of a sound suppressor as that question was asked here a year or so ago and no definitive answer was found.
 

67GT390FB

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Bill in VA wrote:
The '34 NFA doesn't have a thing to do with VA hunting regs.really DGIF just pulled an 18" barrel length out of their collective posteriors.Consider that while it's unlawful to hunt with a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, it's not unlawful to hunt with an 18 inch-barreled shotgun that's less than 26 inches OAL (one of two federal definitions of an SBS.) Since there's no prohibition on hunting with a less-than-26"OAL-but-18"-minimum-bbl shotgun it follows taht to do so is legal. The same with suppressors. There is no prohibition on hunting with a suppressor in the state of Virginia (remember too, some of the hunters partaking of so-called"controlled hunts"you dorealize that these "contrlled hunts" are typically carried out by or withdgif employees. its one of the reasons they have opened up so many urban archery seasons and even extended them by several weeks in some locales, some starting this month inNOVAin populous areas do so with suppressors.) Still, you're apparently not the only one who has the use lawful use of suppressors while hunting as a concerni don't see below. Somewhere I have a scan of a letter from VADGIF that basically says the same thing: there are no prohibitions on hunting with a suppressor.i'd appreciate seeing that.

Remember, a key foundation stone to our laws is that they are geenerallyprohibitive in nature...unless the law says "it" is unlawful the presumption is that "it" is lawful. Certainly 99.9% of the members here are aware of that notion since it drives the open-carry movement.

1.A shotgun with a barrell length less than 18" is automatically an NFA item unless manufactured prior to the year 1898/78???(actual year is escaping me right now)and blessed by BATFE as a factory produced SBS.This coupledwith Full auto firearms being banned from use in hunting it is not too far of a stretch to conclude that the NFA regulations have influenced our hunting regs rightly or wrongly.(if we aren't allowed to hunt with them it keeps them from having a sporting purpose don'tcha know)

2. I don't have an issue with the use of suppressors, upon seeing a .300 whisper ar thought "man that would be a fun deer gun". My point was that I was unclear and still am, outside of the tried and true mantra if not prohibited its legal. If you have an AG opinion or a DGIF letter on this I'd love to see it.
 

67GT390FB

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beradcee wrote:
Does anyone know if there is anything about not being able to hunt with a pistol grip shotgun? I thought that I had seen some turkey guns with them tho. Also, folding stocks. Basically I want to know if the Mossberg 500 JIC is legal to hunt with. I realize that they are designed for home defense, short barrel, all that good stuff. Just want to know if I can hunt with it.

assuming you are planning to hunt in prince william county since you list woodbridge as a location. from the dgif website:

Prince William 2, 12, 18

2. No rifles larger than .22 for hunting.



[align=left]12. It is lawful to use muzzleloading rifles for game animals in the regular hunting season.[/align]

[align=left]18. It is unlawful to hunt with a firearm within 100 yds. of a road.[/align]


Also check with the county as even with preemption County governments can regulate the discharge of firearms. For example Fairfax County pretty much has banned the discharge of firearms in approximately 75% of the county and heavily regulated it to almost the point of extinction in the remaining 25%.

So find out what if any ordinances the county has for the discharge of a firearm.

 

vrwmiller

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Wow. All OP wanted to know is if he could hunt with a shotgun fitted with a pistol grip and possibly a folding stock. How did we digress this much already?
 

beradcee

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Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
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Thanks for the answers. I have been hunting for about 12 years now. Just never hunted with a pistol grip shotgun. I'm more of the bowhunting type as I think it makes it more even. I won't be in PWC as there are WAY too many regulations. There's actually a very large 'no fire' zone. The WMAs are pretty good if you don't go out opening day and try to avoid the weekends.
 

67GT390FB

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beradcee wrote:
Thanks for the answers. I have been hunting for about 12 years now. Just never hunted with a pistol grip shotgun. I'm more of the bowhunting type as I think it makes it more even. I won't be in PWC as there are WAY too many regulations. There's actually a very large 'no fire' zone. The WMAs are pretty good if you don't go out opening day and try to avoid the weekends.
here are two more areas to look at, if i lived closer the Ft Belvoir one would mighty attractive considering the length of the season. I mean if you meet their qualification standard you could already be hunting there. Season started Sept 6 and runs through march of next year.

Quantico Marine Reservation
  • Deer:
    • General Firearms: November 15-January 3. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Open half day on Thanksgiving Day.
    • Archery Season: October 4-November 14.
    • No Muzzleloading Season.
Consult Quantico Game Check Station for daily and seasonal bag limits, other seasons and further details, at (703) 784-5523 or their Web site.

Fort Belvoir
  • Archery Only: qualification required.
  • Deer: September 6, 2008-March 28, 2009.
  • Spring Turkey: April 11-May 16, 2009.
Contact Outdoor Recreation staff at (703) 805-3688 for further details.
 

ODA 226

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You can but I wouldn't hunt with a shotgun without a stock. I want to make dead sure I can drop the animal with a well-aimed shot. It is difficult to do so without a stocked weapon. Just my opinion.

Also, make sure you have a plug in your tube!
 

67GT390FB

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ODA 226 wrote:
You can but I wouldn't hunt with a shotgun without a stock. I want to make dead sure I can drop the animal with a well-aimed shot. It is difficult to do so without a stocked weapon. Just my opinion.

Also, make sure you have a plug in your tube!this is true only for migratory game birds. theshell restriction for migratory birds is fed mandated, in VA hunting for all other game animals as of last sept/oct no longer has a shell capacity restriction. for example you can legally take your saiga 12 with a 20rd wraithmaker drum deer hunting if that is your desire.
 

doug23838

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The man that owned the property where I used to hunt, hunted with a pistol grip shotgun. However, his was not a pistol grip only, it had a shoulder stock with a pistol grip. (Like the Mossberg Turkey Tactical, or the Benelli tacticals). He had an arthritic wrist and traditional stocks were uncomfortable to him.
 

67GT390FB

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doug23838 wrote:
The man that owned the property where I used to hunt, hunted with a pistol grip shotgun. However, his was not a pistol grip only, it had a shoulder stock with a pistol grip. (Like the Mossberg Turkey Tactical, or the Benelli tacticals). He had an arthritic wrist and traditional stocks were uncomfortable to him.
so doug are you going to let me reduce the deer population in your neighborhood this fall? have crossbow will travel at least as far as chester.
 

doug23838

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, Virginia, USA
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67GT390FB wrote:
doug23838 wrote:
The man that owned the property where I used to hunt, hunted with a pistol grip shotgun. However, his was not a pistol grip only, it had a shoulder stock with a pistol grip. (Like the Mossberg Turkey Tactical, or the Benelli tacticals). He had an arthritic wrist and traditional stocks were uncomfortable to him.
so doug are you going to let me reduce the deer population in your neighborhood this fall? have crossbow will travel at least as far as chester.

They're thick out here. They ate my garden up. Ate the tomato vines. Ate the potato vines. Ate my okra down to the ground.

I'm going to train them to come to the sound of a pump shotgun.
 

ODA 226

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67GT390FB wrote:
ODA 226 wrote:
You can but I wouldn't hunt with a shotgun without a stock. I want to make dead sure I can drop the animal with a well-aimed shot. It is difficult to do so without a stocked weapon. Just my opinion.

Also, make sure you have a plug in your tube!this is true only for migratory game birds. theshell restriction for migratory birds is fed mandated, in VA hunting for all other game animals as of last sept/oct no longer has a shell capacity restriction. for example you can legally take your saiga 12 with a 20rd wraithmaker drum deer hunting if that is your desire.
Didn't know that! I've been living in Eastern Europe for the past 15 years. Thanks for the update!
 

peter nap

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ODA 226 wrote:
67GT390FB wrote:
ODA 226 wrote:
You can but I wouldn't hunt with a shotgun without a stock. I want to make dead sure I can drop the animal with a well-aimed shot. It is difficult to do so without a stocked weapon. Just my opinion.

Also, make sure you have a plug in your tube!this is true only for migratory game birds. theshell restriction for migratory birds is fed mandated, in VA hunting for all other game animals as of last sept/oct no longer has a shell capacity restriction. for example you can legally take your saiga 12 with a 20rd wraithmaker drum deer hunting if that is your desire.
Didn't know that! I've been living in Eastern Europe for the past 15 years. Thanks for the update!
That went through last year. About time although I've never had anyone check to see if I had a plug in.
 
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