I would like to do an Elk hunt in Wyoming, My friends go every year for Deer and Elk if they get tags. But the guide book is confusing to me on If I could use a pistol. Not sure on the length of a .44 mag. And If I could use my .450 Bushmaster as a back up. That cartridge is 1.8"
Here is copy of guide book:
Legal Firearms for Hunting Big or
Trophy Game Animals. When hunting bighorn sheep,
elk, moose, mountain goat or black bear with a firearm,
a hunter shall use any center-fire firearm of at least .24
caliber and firing a cartridge of at least two (2) inches in
overall length. When hunting antelope, deer, mountain lion,
or gray wolf where designated as a trophy game animal,
a hunter shall use any center-fire firearm of at least .22
caliber (excluding .22 Hornet) and having a bullet weight of
at least sixty (60) grains and firing a cartridge of at least two
(2) inches in overall length.
Big or trophy game animals may be taken with any other
cartridge of at least .35 caliber and at least one and onehalf
(1.5) inches in overall length, or any shotgun firing
?00? or larger buckshot, or a slug. Any muzzle-loading rifle
or muzzle-loading handgun of at least .40 caliber using a
charge of at least fifty (50) grains of black powder or its
equivalent may also be used to hunt big or trophy game
animals. Any center-fire firearm or muzzle-loading firearm
used to hunt big or trophy game animals shall fire an
expanding point bullet.

Well....:I'm confused.

Last paragraph, first sentence covers big bore pistols pistols. At least 0.35 caliber and OAL longer then 1.5 inches. Unless you are handloading stubby bullets in your 44 you should be good.

First paragraph would cover specialty pistols of calibers less then 0.035".

Been handgun hunting WY for almost 30yrs. Guns you mentioned are completely legal.

Karl nailed it.

you are good to go!

Thanks Guys!

I would add that the last sentence of the second paragraph specifies an expanding point bullet. No hardcast WFN etc. allowed.

I'm pretty sure hard cast are considered expanding bullets. I think what they want to avoid are full metal jackets.

The ATF has ruled that non expanding handgun bullet are illegal and all handgun bullets sold in the US meet the legal definition of ?expanding? even the Punch bullet which are considered hollow under the law.

JWP475-
I have seen this posted several times. Do you by chance have a link to an ATF resource that states this? or point me in a direction where it might be found that we could add to this thread?