Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="arrowdem" data-source="post: 81259" data-attributes="member: 352">granted it would be kinda sweet, i dont think this is something that should pass.. A) i dont think it is lethal enough and would end up with a lot of wounded birds B) you are going to have a lot more pheasants being shot out of the pick up window...thoughts? <a href="http://www.grandforksherald.com/outdoors/hunting/3945632-bill-could-bring-handguns-south-dakota-pheasant-hunting" target="_blank">http://www.grandforksherald.com/outdoors/hunting/3945632-bill-could-bring-handguns-south-dakota-pheasant-hunting</a>One South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department official hopes a bill to allow handguns to hunt game birds is shot down in committee. Tony Leif, wildlife division director of the South Dakota GF&P, will testify at Thursday's House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee hearing in Pierre in opposition to House Bill 1206, which would legalize the use of handguns with .410 gauge shells to hunt nonmigratory game birds including pheasant, grouse, partridge and quail.Leif said he was initially concerned about the bill, and those concerns were validated after doing some research on the subject. Leif's concerns focus heavily on the safety and effectiveness of a handgun to hunt game birds.According to Leif, pistols and rifles, which are currently prohibited for hunting nonmigratory birds, are meant to be shot at stationary targets rather than birds in flight as it's more difficult to control the direction of the muzzle of a handgun.Leif also argued a .410-gauge handgun shot is only effective within 10 feet. Beyond 10 feet, a handgun is more likely to cripple a bird with a stray pellet than kill the bird."I think the best way to describe it is responsible hunters do not ever want to lose a bird, in fact, it's probably the most important factor to most hunters out there," Leif said. "Most hunters that I hunt with would rather miss than lose a bird."Despite Leif's concerns, the bill reached the committee with the support of 24 state legislators, including prime sponsor Rep. Dick Werner, R-Huron.Werner contends .410 gauge shots have a similar shot pattern to shotgun shells and could be beneficial to hunters who cannot shoulder a gun due to age or injuries.In response to any potential safety concerns, Werner said a handgun would need to be treated similarly to other firearms used in hunting."As far as safety concerns, anytime an individual's got a gun in their hand there are safety concerns," Werner said. "The holder of that gun needs to treat it with respect, as they would any other gun for safety."According to Leif, handguns are currently legal to hunt some larger game, but only if a single projectile is used. He said this bill, if approved, would be the first case where birdshot dispersed from a handgun would be legal to hunt birds in flight in South Dakota.Leif said most hunters would likely oppose HB 1206.The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will also consider three other bills on Thursday, with two focusing on hunting.House Bill 1199 would revise the minimum age requirement for hunting and fishing licenses. Currently, no person under the age of 12 can acquire a hunting license, but the bill would eliminate that section of law. Anyone under 16 would still be required to follow state laws on firearms safety before receiving a hunting license.The committee will also hear House Bill 1200, which would provide for an earlier archery hunting season for deer. In 2015, the archery deer season opened on Sept. 26, but passage of the proposed bill would ensure archery deer hunting season begins no later than Sept. 1.</blockquote>

Verification: What is the most common fish caught on this site?

Reply to thread

Recent Posts

Friends of NDA