Hunting & Fishing 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

[Jayne]

There are a lot of areas in CA where I can hunt small game but they only allow shotguns with non-lead shot.

I've never taken a rabbit or squirrel with a shotgun, and wonder... do you have anything left if you hit one with a 12 gauge (#6 steel, 24" w/mod choke)?

I want the meat out of them so if they're shredded then hunting is sorta useless for me.

I don't have a .410 and don't like the idea of buying one just for this but if it's required to do what I want I'll start looking around, but I have a perfect field 12 gauge that I like.

 

[wfjames22]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

Unless you're shooting them at less than 10yds, you will not destroy the meat with a 12ga.

 

[Dylan in AZ]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

And if you are, aim for the head. But be forewarned, cleaning pellets out of rabbit or sqirrel is a pain in the ass, especially when you miss one or two and later find it while biting down into your meal.

 

[Jayne]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

OK, thanks for the info.

I'm planning to make ground-meat jerky out of the meat and the shot usually gets out in the processing when I've done pheasant that way.

 

[DirtyDave]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

Read up on the Condor-Zone restriction on Lead ammo. In CA you DO NOT have to use Un-Leaded ammo for Small-Game or Upland-Game in the Condor Zone. The Lead restriction is ONLY for Big-Game and Non-Game critters.
Use #6 Lead game loads for cottontails. Hi-brass is not needed but can help if shooting Jacks. If I'm going just for Jacks, I'll use #4 or #5 Hi-Brass. Mod choke is good all-around choke.

 

[InsidetheStorm]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

I have not really run into too many problems, especially with that modified choke. If you hit em at 15 yards or more, no sweat. I know you do not need steel for upland birds, but I think you still might for small game.

 

[DirtyDave]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: InsidetheStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know you do not need steel for upland birds, <span style="color: #FF0000">but I think you still might for small game</span>.</div></div>

Nope, like I said. The lead restrictions in the the condor zone are for Big-Game and Non-Game ONLY.

http://dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/
http://dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/docs/LeadInformation.pdf

 

[Jayne]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??


Some places have added their own rules on top of the state requirements. For example, Ft. Hunter Liggett wants non-lead for everything and has some shotgun only areas: http://www.liggett.army.mil/sites/fishhunt/hunting.asp

Also, some of the wetlands/preserve areas that are far from the condor stuff are also specifying non-lead for everything, not just the waterfowl and don't allow pistols and rifles (which I've interpreted to mean shotguns only).

 

[InsidetheStorm]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

Ahhh... forgive my ignorance. I think I had confused a proposed regulation from ?2009? that would have outlawed lead shot. Thanks for the education.

 

[experthunter017]

Re: 12 gauge for small game, anything left??

I am used 12ga my whole life for small game, you should be fine if you are not point blank.