Yep .... no arguement from me there. But perhaps you forget the reasons that slug only laws were enacted in the first place - proximity to people and limited range.

I have no dog in this fight. I have a 30-06 and a 30-30 in the gun cabinet right next to my slug guns.

They would probably stay there regardless of what happens with this bill. I can't see 50 yds in the areas I gun hunt every fall, and I've grown quite fond of the terminal performance of 12 ga. slugs on deer sized critters.

My point is that rifles will not make a significant difference to the hunting in our neck of the woods, and perhaps folks should be working on improving their skills instead of their range.

I agree with all that you guys said. My slug gun will be my primary weapon because all of the spots I will be hunting is shotgun legal. One spot where I hunt will be open to rifle hunting, that's when a rifle would be my backup. That's beside the fact.

I got my NY Outdoor News today. The bill hasn't been even put onPataki's desk yet. They said that Pataki said that if all that he hears about the bill is true he will sign it, but he is going to look at the bill first to make sure of what he is signing because he said sometimes people can misunderstand what is said in a bill.

They say that Pataki is likely to sign it sometime in August.

cma3366a, I also reload for my 30-06 and shoot at the range 2 times a wk.
thesource, I hunt the same with a shotgun as I do with a bow, I place my stands where the wind blows into my face, I scout the entire hunting area to make sure there are deer there. Rifle hunting will increase the chance that when I hit the deer it will drop where it is hit. Rifle hunting is not any easier then shotgun hunting the only difference is the range in which I can land a kill shot. Oh and @ 32 hunting accidents over the last year you stand a better chance of being hit by lightning while in a submarine layingon the bottom of the ocean.

At least some outdoor focused papers are keeping us in the loop.

I'd think they would have some sort of action soon...hate to see a bill like this pass at the last moment before the season.

Yes I agree this is going to be my wifes first hunting season and I don't know whether to have her shoot the rifle or the shotgun.

You're kidding, right?

Rifles possess no magic power that will anchor a deer on the spot. Bullet selection is critical in determining terminal performance, and unless you're willing to pay for the super premiums, there are no guarantees.

The last buck I shot with a 12 ga slug (35 yds with a Federal Expander) literally got flipped over sideways and barely twitched. Deer shot with a 30-06 through both lungs with a bullet that has failed to expand have managed to travel hundreds of yards and required hours to track down.

There is no problem with the "knockdown power" of a 12 ga or 20 ga slug. You want a rifle so you can shoot out to 300 yds instead of 100 yds. As a bowhunter who is used to 15 and 20 yard shots, I just don't see the need for the added range.

I also think its somewhat irresponsible to pass a rifle law before you pass a Blaze Orange law.

It only takes one mistake to ruin your day.

thesource, Do you shoot rifles? Have you shot a rifle to kill anything? I have done all of the above, I have NEVER had a deer go more then 2 steps after being shot with a .270 winchester, I have shot woodchucks @ 450yds in the head with a 22-250 that didn't even twitch. If you cannot shoot a rifle with the accuracy needed to drop a deer where it stands, by all means use a shotgun. I reload my ammunition and test every batch so I know where it hits and what it does when it hits there. Presently I am loading a 165 gr spire point which will do the job.

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I would have to concur on that one. I do mostly bird hunting here in MA, where they require blaze orange. Going out there to NY deer hunting where they have no blaze orange requirement had me come close to shooting a person once. With added range of a rifle, that gives you more distance to keep your eyes open on and giving you less ability to identify your target the farther you have to look out. I think at least an orange hat would be sufficient, just enough to warn other hunters your not deer.

Ok,I supposea few will always look for the "easiest" weapon. I had to chuckle though,at the choice of crossbow (of which I have no problem with) over a compound bow. But, the point Id make though, is simply this...Most of us NYers know of guys who have traditionally gone down to PA to hunt deer. Ask any of them why, and most will tell you its because they enjoy shooting their rifles. I believe that a majority actually do like shooting the rifle, and this offers them that opportunity. Its not about being easy, in my opinion. Hell, the guys who use rifles because its "easy" start in September, after dark. I too often see the fragmented bullets in deer to prove that, lol.

I personally probably wont be able to take advantage of a rifle season here in NY, but Im not against one either. Ive always been a proponent for weapon efficiency, out of respect for the animal.