I thought that might get some attention.
I know the laws in most states requires shotguns to be at least 18" but do any of you know the length of a handgun? I have a couple of wildlife officials on my NWTF committee but am too afraid of asking them and looking like a dumb a$$. What are the laws in your states? I just had a crazy idea about handgunning for turkey. Any help?

I think it would be cool too. Not allowed in MO, but I'm pretty sure you could in TX.

NY does not allow handguns for turkey hunting. Wish they did, might just get me excited about turkey hunting.

Its okay here in Texas I have used my 10" contender in 22 hornet the last 4 years.The best shot ( the luckiest ) so far was last year.I shot a tom at 91 steps away and the bullet hit just below the eye.A friend and the land owner were setting there next to me.They could not believe it ( me either ).I did not tell them I was aiming for the base of his neck.

In Michigan you are not allowed to use Handguns. Wish we could, it would be fun

Maybe this will help. http://www.handgunhunt.com/feature/s42/index.html If it is legal in your state it is a ball!!

In Oklahoma the Fall season is open to handguns from Oct 30 to Nov 19. (That was 2004, these dates usually stay very close each year). Legal means of taking w/handgun states: Centerfire, 22 mag rimfire, 5mm magnum rimfire & 17HMR are leagal, all other rimfire handguns are illegal.
Approx 26 counties out of 72 allow 1 Tom during gun season. Another 17 Counties allow 1 turkey either sex. Most all legal counties are in the central to western part of the state.
Non resident hunting licenses are $137.00 and a Fall Turkey gun tag is $10.00. You have to wear orange during hunting.
All of this info is from the 2004-2005 Hunting Guide of OK.
With all of that said, I took one with my 7BR XP last year.
There are many turkeys in the NW part of Oklahoma and Panhandle and there are many public places to hunt them.

Mike

in oregon you can only use shotguns and archery equipment, no rifles or handguns.

Here in Virginia, the regulations state that one may use handguns to hunt wherever rifles are used, and the requirement for Deer and Bear is that "Cartridges used must be .23 caliber or larger and have a manufacturer’s rating of 350 foot-pounds muzzle energy or more."

The law is a wee bit vague where Turkeys are concerned, as the regs state the following:

"Rifles, pistols, and revolvers may be used for hunting crows, except where prohibited by local ordinances (see Local Firearms Ordinances)."

"Pistols and revolvers firing .22 caliber rimfire ammunition and muzzleloading pistols may be used for small game where .22 rifles are permitted (see Local Firearms Ordinances)."

"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."

And under Turket regs, we have the following:

*Legal Methods and Restrictions*

Modern firearms
Archery tackle
Muzzleloading firearms
Decoys, blinds, and dogs may be used
Unlawful to use electronic calls

Now, since modern firearms are permitted, and since the handgun regs specify Deer and Bear, and then in a separate category specify "small game" I think it is safe to say that our VA laws concerning Turkey and handgun hunting have not been tested or well thought out. I cannot find where handgun usage for Turkey is either mentioned, permitted OR forbidden.

Gary, do you have any info to shed more light upon this?

thers two seasons here in pa
the early ""spring"" is shotgun only
the late "" fall"" you can use any thing
all though bow/cross bow are leagle for both
muzzle loading shot guns are leagle for both
but muzzle loading pistols are not leagle for any thing here in pa

like the other post from va. stated,the law is kinda iffy ,i have some weak loaded 44 magnums with the 200 gr. gold dots that i intend to carry come spring gobbler season.if im around a field or two i guess i will take the 257 roberts with the 75 gr. v-max loads.either way it should be really messy (i need to kill something with that gun with that new 3x12 burris )jim257

In Arkansas, we can only use shotguns and bows.

In the PA regs under arms and ammunition for fall turkey it says "Muzzleloading sotguns, rifles and handguns"
This depends on what WMU you ar in because some are shotgun only in the fall also

Under the deer regs it specifies muzzleloading longguns.

As was stated earlier, in PA it is legal to use a handgun in the fall turkey season. I have been fortunate enough to bag 4 fall handgun turkeys. 3 with Contenders and 1 with a S&W 629. I consider them all great trophys. I would be interested in hearing from other PA hunters that have had handgunning success on turkeys.

In Wyoming it is legal to use a handgun to hunt turkeys (and just about anything else. Now if we can just do something about those damn wolves.... )

Easy fix just put a shotgun barrel on a encore and go hunting, Its still a pistol but meest shotgun requirements, and meets the NFA standards.

SS308, I'm drew a goat tag for unit 52 and will be hunting there in Oct. Can I buy a over the counter tag for turkey being a non-resident? I'm trying to find this info on the WY site but I'm having no luck.

Mike

WA state; NO, Florida; YES, TX also YES!

I saw a Turkey hunt on Outdoor channel a while back and I wanna say it was in Texas and I believe it was Brenda Valentine, but she took a nice bird with an Anaconda 44mag.
I thought that would be the all time best to be able to harvest a big old Tom with a handgun but like Tigger said--New York dosent permit it. Maybe its time to move

Quote:

---

but like Tigger said--New York dosent permit it. Maybe its time to move

---

It's been time!! I'd be in western Montana, or Wyoming if I could get the wife to move!!!

guess ill try it again this year...i still have the 200 gr. xtp's @1800 fps i loaded for deer last year...the red dot is still dialed in on the srh 44 magnum.not trying to rub it in fellers but im a using my 44..... ...jim257

Funny that you said Wyoming and Montana cause thats two of the three states I keep telling my other half I wanna go to--The 3rd would be ALASKA

My third would be Idaho. Alsaka is appeling but it has it's drawbacks too. Definatly want to go up there and hunt sometime.