Hunting big game with handguns was unlawful in many states through the mid-20th century. When did your state make handgun hunting legal for deer and other big game?

Maybe it was in certain LEFT leaning states. Not aware of it ever being taboo in Florida.

In N.C. it became legal in 1980. Small game was legal with .22 LR's only, long before that.

Today, there are no caliber or barrel length restrictions.

For Colorado, up until 1985 only deer and black bear were legal to hunt with a handgun. And for most of that time time you had to pass a shooting test using a legal handgun and ammo; as well as a written test, in order to hunt big game with a handgun. The legal requirement for a hunting handgun is:
7. HANDGUNS
a. Barrel must be minimum 4 inches long.
b. Must use a minimum .24-caliber (6 mm) diameter expanding bullet.
c. Shoulder stocks or attachments prohibited.
d. Must use a cartridge or load that produces minimum energy of 550-ft.
pounds at 50 yards as rated by manufacturer.

Due to my interest in handgun hunting, I became a Certified Handgun Hunting Tester for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. This testing requirement has since been discontinued.

Then in 1985 I petitioned the Wildlife Commission, with the help of load and energy charts from JD Jones, and was able to get antelope on the legal list for 1986. The following year I again petitioned the Wildlife Commission; now with the help of another handgun hunter, and we got the rest of the big game animals legal starting in 1987: Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Mountain Lion, Moose, and Elk.

Does anyone remember the year handgun hunting became legal in Georgia? I'm thinking 1989! Lonnie

It was always legal as far as I know here in Pa.

I know that it was legal there in 1961, when I first began hunting with handguns in that state. In those days, you had to get a "registration permit" (that might not be the correct term) for handgun hunting at the local Clerk of Court's office, that was serial number specific to the gun you were going to use. As I recall, it cost about a dollar.

1978 in TN. reflex264

THis year it becomes Legal to hunt with a handgun during Missouri's muzzleloader season, I still hav'nt figured this one out. But I'm looking forward to it !! No more blackpowder for me!

Still waiting for handgun hunting to become legal in british columbia. I would have to head up to ALASKA or down to ARIZONA to hunt with friends there.I have to have trigger locks on my revolvers and have them in a locked container,just to drive up to a local shooting range.Have my BATF&E FORM 6 5330-3d. that allowes me to open carry in ALASKA and O.P. or carry concealled in ARIZONA. Something that would get me jailed up here!!!!!!!!!

It's been legal in Missouri for many years, as long as it is not a rimfire. Also, for the first year ever, this year we get to fill any un-filled deer tags during black powder season with any handgun that is not rimfire as well, and it doesn't have to be black powder either! Which is why I bought a 45-70 BFR with a 7 1/2" barrel. I have a .44mag SBH with a 7 1/2" barrel, but just wanted a big boomer this year, and man I got one. It shoots great, points nice, and recoil isn't any worse than my .44mag, believe it or not, but it does sound like a Civil War cannon going off!

In Indiana deer hunting with handguns became legal in either 1986 or 1987 with straight walled cases 1.16" minimum .357 bullet or larger, 4 " barrel. In 1995 the regulations were changed to allow bullets of .243" and minimum case lengths of 1.16" I can use my 7-30 Waters or .308 Winchester in a pistol, but not a rifle. Small game and varmints have always been legal handgun game.

Az used to require a permit for concealed carry, but now any person can carry concealed without a permit or classes.

PA had what they called a "Sportsman's Permit" for handgun hunting rather than a concealed carry permit. It was gun specific. I was young and really didn't even know if concealed carry was even legal back in those days. The permit was to avoid the potential concealment issues such as a coat falling over your holster during deer season. Now it is so easy to get a concealed carry permit there, that I don't believe anyone gets sportsman's permits anymore.

Hey patman54 where at in mo. I'm in southwest mo.

Just a minor correction on NC laws. For deer and bear there is a minimum of .24 caliber.

I moved to OR in 83/84 and handgun hunting was legal then but you used to have to specify on your tag either rifle or handgun and whichever you picked was what you had to hunt with. Now there is only one tag and you can use any legal firearm.