Here in Alabama law forbids using centerfire rifles on small game. If hunting on your own property no one would know, but on public land there's always the possibility of coming across a game warden. Unless the law has changed, centerfire handguns are okay, so one of those .45-70 pistolas are legal, but not a handloaded rimfire equivalent centerfire such as a Hornet. Stupid law if you ask me.
To conserve .22 long rifle I'll be using my PCP air rifle some and need to get the Beeman R1 springer going again. And there's always the shotguns.
Kentucky has similar restrictions. From last season's rules:
24SMALL GAME HUNTING and TRAPPING
LEGAL SMALL GAME HUNTING EQUIPMENT and METHODS
Hunters may only use the follow-ing to take small game during the fall and winter seasons:
• A rimfire gun or rimfire handgun
• .410 gauge handgun
• Muzzle-loading or breech-loading shotguns no larger than 10-gauge. Breech-loading shot-guns must be plugged to hold a maximum of three shells (two in magazine and one in chamber)
• Lead or non-toxic shot no larger than No. 2
• Muzzle-loading rifles
• Archery or crossbow equipment
• Pellets fired from .177, .20, .22 or .25 caliber air guns
• Falconry
• Slingshots with manufactured hunting ammunition
• Dogs may be used to aid in the hunt
It's killed a bunch of projects I'd had in mind. I would love to use a downloaded 223 rifle on squirrel, or use my 1894 loaded with 38 SPC to take. . . well, whatever.
