Grouse with ca .24 or larger.

[tjthebest]

Is it legal to shoot grouse with a pistol or rifle caliber .24 or larger? Im pretty sure it is legal during modern deer or elk if you have a tag. but what about the rest of the grouse season.

Me and my brother are having quite the time trying to figure this one out.

[DOUBLELUNG]

You can take grouse throughout the season with any firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment.

[tjthebest]

Can you point me to where it says that in the regs?

thanks

[Heredoggydoggy]

Can you point me to where it says that in the regs?

thanks

Page 76 of the Big Game pamphlet pretty much lays it out, in Prohibited Hunting Methods, #11 "It is illegal to: Hunt game birds with a rifle or pistol, EXCEPT FOREST GROUSE.  Also: Illegal to Hunt game birds or game animals with anything other than a firearm, (muzzleloaders are classified as firearms) a bow and arrow, or by falconry."

"Legal Hunting Hours" also apply to Grouse, per pg. 72.

Hope this solves the question.  Caliber/Shotgun size only applies to Big Game.

[Bob33]

Be mindful of this: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-242

"It shall be unlawful to hunt wildlife, except bear, cougar, mountain goat, mountain sheep, moose, or turkey, during any modern firearm deer or elk season, with any firearm 240 caliber or larger, or containing slugs or buckshot, unless valid license, permits and tags for modern firearm deer or elk seasons are in the hunter's possession."

[bobcat]

I guess that's when you pull out the AR15 in .223 and go grouse hunting.      

[tjthebest]

What about pg. 25 of the upland bird regs?

" Forest Grouse
Forest grouse may not be killed
with any rifle or handgun 24 caliber
or larger, or shotgun containing
slugs or buckshot, during modern
firearm deer or elk seasons unless
appropriate deer or elk tags are in
the hunter's possession.

Forest grouse may be taken with
shotguns as well as firearms smaller
than 24 caliber during the entire
grouse hunting season."

Does the last paragraph mean that you can only use firearms smaller than 24 caliber? Or does it mean that it is also OK to use firearms smaller than 24 caliber?

[FC]

It says "may " not "shall " so you are good to go shooting them with something smaller.

[Hunterman]

Lets make it simple... If you are hunting grouse in deer or elk season, if you are using a LEGAL WEAPON for said animals, then you need a tag for said animals.. Now if you are hunting grouse in deer or elk season, and using a shotgun containing bird shot, (with no more than 2 shells in the gun), or using a fireame that is NOT LEGAL to hunt big game with ( .22 rim fire, .17 cal.) like any firearm in a caliber less than .240, you do not need the said big game tags..AND BEFORE SOMEONE COMES OUT AND SAY'S YOU CAN NOT USE A FULLY AUTOMATIC RIFLE TO HUNT GROUSE,,,NO SH**%%$..  So if you are hunting grouse with a FIREARM, not intended to hunt big game,,your good all grouse season..

Hunterman(Tony)

[Curly]

Tony, why only 2 shells in the gun?  I thought the limit was 3?

[tjthebest]

So im good to go shooting a grouse with 9mm or .40 S&W? With a 4 inch barrel of course? Outside of deer or elk season.

[B-Nut]

I never saw in the regs where it says shooting small game had to be with a barrel 4 inches or bigger, is that true?

[FC]

So im good to go shooting a grouse with 9mm or .40 S&W? With a 4 inch barrel of course? Outside of deer or elk season.

You can but from my experience I wouldn't recommend it.

I never saw in the regs where it says shooting small game had to be with a barrel 4 inches or bigger, is that true?

I've never seen it stipulated for small game either but it is stipulated for hunting. 

[Huntbear]

I guess that's when you pull out the AR15 in .223 and go grouse hunting.   

And you are legal for Cougar that way as well.. 

[Hunterman]

Tony, why only 2 shells in the gun?  I thought the limit was 3?

Because my fast ass finger hit the wrong key  Sorry    It is 3 shells..

Hunterman(Tony)