Legal hunting methods and weapon restrictions

How to hunt game birds

How to hunt big game

Refer to current eRegulations for details on weapons and ammunition restrictions.

*Use current published regulations by downloading a .pdf on your device.

(AI-may contain inaccurate data).

Species specific weapon restrictions for big game

DEER, PRONGHORN, BLACK BEAR, COUGAR
Minimum centerfire caliber (rifles and handguns)	.22 caliber
Minimum muzzleloader caliber	.40 caliber: round ball or legal bullet #1 or larger buckshot allowed for deer, bear, and cougar
Shotgun	#1 or larger buckshot or slugs
Archery: long, recurve, compound bow	40 pound minimum draw weight

ELK, BIGHORN SHEEP, ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT
Minimum centerfire caliber (rifles and handguns)	.24 caliber
Minimum muzzleloader caliber	.50 caliber: round ball or legal bullet
Shotgun	Elk, slugs only. Shotguns not legal for bighorn sheep or Rocky Mtn goat
Archery: long, recurve, compound bow	40 pound minimum draw weight
WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL
Any rifle, handgun, shotgun that is not fully automatic
Any non-matchlock muzzleloader
Long, recurve or compound bow¹ -using any type of arrow, or small game point or broadhead, except if broadheads are used they must be non-barbed and at least 7/8" wide. Broadheads with movable blades that fold/collapse when withdrawn are not considered barbed.

Legal weapons & ammunition for hunting game birds, crows

In addition to these restrictions some WAs, NWRs, RHAs and other special areas may have further weapon restrictions.

Game Birds and crows

May be taken by licensed falconers using raptors (see Falconry Regulations).

Any recurve, long, or compound bow¹ using any type of arrow or point.

Wild Turkey and Crows

Shotguns, including muzzleloading shotguns, (see definition on page 12 of Game Bird Regulations) that are 10 gauge or smaller, and which are incapable of holding more than three shells (plugged)

Any recurve, long, or compound bow¹ using any type of arrow or point.

Ruffed and Blue Grouse

Shotguns, including muzzleloading shotguns, (see definition on page 12 of Game Bird Regulations) that are 10 gauge or smaller, and which are incapable of holding more than three shells (plugged)

Any recurve, long, or compound bow¹ using any type of arrow or point.

Any rimfire firearm.

¹ Hunters shall not use any electronic device(s) attached to bow or arrow except lighted arrow nocks that have no function other than to increase visibility of the arrow and cameras that have no other function (such as range-finding) are allowed.

Restrictions: weapons and ammunition

Game birds and crows may not be hunted with air guns.

Game birds, crows, and western gray squirrels may not be hunted with crossbows or any other method not listed in the previous sections.

Game birds, except wild turkey, may not be hunted with steel shot larger than F or shot composed of other material larger than BB.

Wild turkey may not be hunted with shot (any material) larger than No. 2.

Tracer shells may not be used to hunt game birds, crows, or western gray squirrels.

Game birds may not be hunted with shotgun slugs.

Western gray squirrel may not be hunted with full-metal jacket bullets.

Waterfowl and snipe may not be hunted with lead shot or while lead shot is in the hunter's possession. Shot used for hunting waterfowl and snipe must be federally approved nontoxic shot. Additionally, on certain WAs, NWRs, and RHAs (pages 29, 34-42) all hunters using shotguns must use federally approved nontoxic shot.

Weapon provisions for hunting game mammals

Below are the requirements for weapons that can be used to hunt game mammals. In addition to these restrictions, some controlled hunts or special areas may have further weapon and ammunition restrictions.

Centerfire firearm (rifles, handguns and shotguns)

It is unlawful to hunt game mammals with:

.22 caliber rimfire (except for western gray squirrel).
Fully automatic firearms.
Semiautomatic rifles with a magazine capacity greater than five cartridges (except for western gray squirrel).
Tracer or full-metal jacket bullets.
Infrared, including thermal, night vision, laser or any other sight that projects a beam to the target, including scopes with electronic rangefinders and scopes that receive information from any electronic device.

Shotgun

Shotguns (see Definitions) with rifled barrels are considered shotguns when used for hunting game mammals when centerfire rifles or shotguns are legal weapons.

Bow

Only a bow may be used for seasons designated as archery or bow.
Only a long bow or recurve bow may be used for seasons designated as traditional bow only.
Only recurve, long, or compound bows are legal for hunting game mammals.
Broadheads must be non-barbed and at least 7/8" wide. Broadheads with moveable blades that fold/collapse when withdrawn are not considered barbed. Western gray squirrel may be hunted with small game arrow points/heads.

It is unlawful to hunt game mammals with:

Bows having a draw weight of less than 40 pounds (except no minimum draw weight for western gray squirrel).
Any device secured to or supported by the bow that maintains the bow at full draw.
Any electronic device attached to bow or arrow except lighted arrow nocks that have no function other than to increase visibility of the arrow, and cameras that have no other function (such as range finding) than recording images are allowed.

Muzzleloader

During muzzleloader only seasons and 600 series hunts where there is a weapon restriction of shotgun/muzzleloader only or archery/muzzleloader only:

It is unlawful to:

Use scopes (permanent or detachable).
Use sights that use batteries, artificial light or energy except for visually impaired hunters with a permit. Open and peep sights are legal, including open and peep sights with fiber optics or fluorescent paint on them.
Hunt with or have in possession while hunting, sabots or bullets with plastic or synthetic parts. Cloth, paper or felt patches are allowed.
Hunt with centerfire primers or matchlock as an ignition source.
Hunt with pelletized powders or propellants. Granular (loose) black powder and black powder substitutes are the only legal propellants.
Hunt with a revolving action muzzleloader.

During Any Legal Weapon and Western Gray Squirrel seasons, hunters may use muzzleloaders with any ignition type (except matchlock), any legal sight or scope, any propellant, or any bullet type provided the weapon meets caliber restrictions for the species.