Rifles in KY

[Strutter]

A guy at work told me that beginning in 2003, KY was going to allow only shotgun and muzzleloaders to be used for deer. Rifles were supposed to be illegal. I think this is bull but some guys wanted me to try and find out. The guy who said it also said he called Frankfort and they supposedly said they couldn't give him an answer. What's the deal?

Thanks,
Strutter

[CSS archer]

No such idea, how would that increase harvest?

[GSP]

I think that is a bunch of BS!

[Rob]

I wouldn't buy a used car or snake oil from that dude, that's for sure.

Rob

[DC]

Unfounded but persistent "urban legend" that surfaces every year. What those who start such rumors don't realize is that shotgun slugs ARE NOT MORE SAFE THAN RIFLES and they aren't more effective than rifles in taking deer.

[mossyhorns]

DC, I have hunted states like IL that only allow slugs or MLs and feared more for my life there than during rifle season in KY. Everyone uses autoloaders or pumps (w/o plugs, evidently). I seldom heard a single shot but multishot volleys. I believe misconception about slugs has fostered a "shoot the brush" attitude there much like areas that once allowed buckshot.

As far as being efficient, the fellow I hunting on in IL had a garage full of antlered skulls that he collects after the season. Apparently the slugs coupled with the "flinging lead" practice of the hunters wound many deer that eventually die.

I often heard it said that states like IL and Iowa only allow slugs or MLs because of the flat, open terrain over most of the state's area. Do you think this is a legit concern or is the practice due simply to tradition and reluctance to change?
Thanks!

[DC]

I think shotgun rules were based on ballistic misperceptions and have become the "traditional" way to limit down range liability. People look at downrange potential, 1/2 mile or so for the shotgun slug and 3 miles for the centerfire. Truth is both projectiles are in the ground or a tree in short order if the deer is missed or passed through. Personally, I'd rather have the gunner making a single well-placed shot than filling the air with lead. Of course I believe that most deer are killed with a single shot whether from a bow, handgun, muzzleloader, centerfire rifle or shotgun. No matter the firearm type, the person making the firing decisions is the most important part of the equation. For instance, show me a guy that puts a loaded firearm in his vehicle (one in the chamber) and I'll show you a good bowling partner.

[KYhunter]

Good to see DC still has his sense of humor!

[raktrakr]

i dont think theres any truth to it,but it wouldnt suprise me

[KYhunter]

A little off the subject here, but I saw on another site that Ohio(which is limited to shotguns- and a shorter gun season) had a deer harvest of over 150,000(deer pop listed as 500,000), whereas we may make 100,000, with a listed population of over 750,000. Ponder that one.

[CSS archer]

Consider that OH has 400,000 to 600,000 deer hunters to our 200,000. That could make a difference in harvest. I'm only guessing at the numbers here, they have many more.

[DC]

CSS is right makes best point. Also consider that Ohio's harvest figure may be a "corrected" one while KY's checked harvest was about 103,000 the actual kill was half again.