Still don't make sense that I can hunt the flat land and shoot coyotes with a 50BMG, but I can't hunt deer with a 30/30.
It doesn't, but then the Ohio rules have never been based in objective reality. Where they do make sense is a lot of Ohioans think there should be no deer hunting. The shotgun-only rules come from a time when NY first instituted its first modern season, and from all reports it really was a circular firing squad.
However, Hunter Orange and Hunter Ed took care of all that. Folks are no longer able to wear their brown Carharts with a white handkerchief hanging out of their pocket without an orange hat. Hunter Ed teaches things like:
1) Don't shoot into bushes
2) Don't hunt sounds
3) Don't shoot at skylit deer
4) Don't shoot your buddy because he made fun of your orange hat.
Once you get those things figured out, hunting is fairly safe.
"This is 911."
"I've shot my buddy and he's dead."
"Okay, relax. We'll take care of you. Give us some details."
"I thought he was a deer and I shot him."
"Are you sure he's dead?"
"What do you mean?"
"Make sure he's not still breathing."
"Okay." Long Pause "BANG!" Long Pause. "Yep, he's dead."
.
