IL Handgun Hunting Laws

[Matt304]

Here is something that came up which got me thinking.

Where I am in Illinois, we recently opened a handgun season a few years back for whitetail deer. The regulations are as follows:

Cannot use a semi-automatic firearm.

Barrel length must be 4" minimum.

Caliber must be .30 minimum.

A bottleneck case has a length limit which cannot exceed 1.4".

A straightwall case has no length limit.

The cartridge used must have PUBLISHED load data showing 500ft-lbs at the muzzle. (No wildcats)

Ok, now here's where my questioning comes in. The law apparently targets underpowered cartridges, in one respect. We see this by the caliber minimum and energy minimum.

But then, the law limits the length of a bottleneck case. This seems to be counter-intuitive towards the other regulations, as they are holding energy down. I believe the law originally allowed a 1.7" case, and it was changed just last year if I am correct, to 1.4".

Now, where can a bottleneck of under 1.4" be found with published manufacturer load data that exceeds 500ft-lbs? I imagine they exist, but what's the point if there is only two of them?

What exactly are they trying to do with these regulations, rather than confuse us?

Finally, would it make any sense to think about challenging this law, if almost no cartridges actually meet their bottleneck limitations?

It appears they are attempting to limit bottleneck energy, but I can still load a 458 Win Mag from an Encore and blast a deer legally. So nothing is actually accomplished, rather just more regulation.

I'm trying to find out what can possibly be done about such an odd law.

 

[Gator]

There's probably a political reason for it....this is Illinois.

Here's the source for one of the two bottlenecks that qualify.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

It appears they are attempting to limit bottleneck energy, but I can still load a 458 Win Mag from an Encore and blast a deer legally. So nothing is actually accomplished, rather just more regulation.

Yes-the law seems designed to limit someone from using a .308 TC or something similar. They are trying to avoid the obvious next step of allowing rifle use--which they could safely do in many counties IMO. It oddly started under Blago's watch; when he leaves office (if he gains no further 'anti' goals) his tenure may be seen as a liberating period for IL hunters. Wouldn't that be swell!

 

[scout26]

Yep, it's an attempt to prevent using rifle cartridge capable handguns. Like the Thompson Contender.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I have a friend in Indiana. He used to live out west. He had a .338 Winmag that he sold before he moved back home because he knew he'd never get to use it hunting again. He lives in a shotgun only area.

So, just like here in Washington where we can't use BP arms with inline or electronic ignition, (supposedly for purist BP hunting), your regulation is meant to limit the potential long range shot in areas where rifles are not allowed. To find a bottleneck cartridge that fits the rules might be quite tough. But there are plenty of straight walled "PISTOL" cartridges that meet the specs quite well.

Fight battles that are win'able. That puts you just those steps closer to winning the war. But to challenge this, would probably be a waste of yours and the tax payers time and money.

-Steve

 

[Kingcreek]

Once upon a time, some of us Illinois natives pushed for a handgun season. By the time all the political interests weighed in, we had the usual convoluted regulations but we had our handgun season.
No semi-autos because some of the folks north think they are inherently evil and nobody needs firepower to hunt deer. (semi auto shotguns are OK but limited to 3 rounds)
4" barrel and .30cal minimum for humane killing
but no one-hand rifles with bottlenecked cartridges that might shoot deer at 200 yards or suburbians at a mile or more.
IOW, lethal but not too lethal.

I'm trying to find out what can possibly be done about such an odd law.

Probably nothing. The IDNR has been in limbo since our current governor cut funding and froze hiring, and appointed 2 different politcal favors to run it. and the IL legislature is better at starting fires than putting them out.

 

[scout26]

Once upon a time, some of us Illinois natives pushed for a handgun season. By the time all the political interests weighed in, we had the usual convoluted regulations but we had our handgun season.

Yep, and we've gone from Shotgun Only, Muzzleloader Only and Handgun Oonly seasons to having roughy four "Any Legal Firearm" seasons as long as what you're using matches the tag. Progress is being made.....

 

[Kingcreek]

also a lot more deer (and deer permits and deer hunters!). We used to apply by mail and hope to draw 1 or 2 tags for firearm and archery. now we buy unlimited archery tags over the counter- 2 for $26, and various firearm tags are $15 each almost as easy to get.
I wonder how much fun it would be to hunt deer with a scoped contender and a .444 Marlin barrel? I'll probably carry my SW629 this weekend for the final antlerless-only season.

 

[Matt304]

I wonder how much fun it would be to hunt deer with a scoped contender and a .444 Marlin barrel?

I use a Lone Eagle 444 as of recently. You can load it down low like 180-240gr, or all the way up to 405gr monsters.