How many States are #4, 5, or 6? ( Got a response from the state!)

[albrubacker]

In the State of Delaware we are only allowed to use 4, 5, or 6 shot in turkey loads. How many other States are like this? If your State is like this do you use hand loads or shelf.  

[NorfolkHunter]

In the Province of Ontario we can only use the same. 4, 5, & 6's. I archery hunt so I don't self load my own shells.

[WildTigerTrout]

Pennsylvania law states fine shot no larger than #4 lead,#2 steel or #4 non-toxic.

[dirt road ninja]

LA & MS nothing larger than 2's, anything smaller is legal. All my guns are currently using 7's. Hevi 13 & Nitro's.

[redarrow]

Michigan is 4 or smaller.

[lightsoutcalls]

I'm not trying to stir poo or anything, but why would you need larger shot?  The only shells I have used are Nitro 4x5x7 and Hevy Shot straight 6's.  Both will kill a turkey dead as a doornail with a well placed shot.

[chcltlabz]

I'm not trying to stir poo or anything, but why would you need larger shot?  The only shells I have used are Nitro 4x5x7 and Hevy Shot straight 6's.  Both will kill a turkey dead as a doornail with a well placed shot.

I think the point of his post is your Nitro 4x5x7s would not be legal in DE.  Only a single shot size is legal, and they have to be #4s, #5s or #6s.  Even straight 7's would not be legal.

[lightsoutcalls]

Wow.  I'm sure they would have some scientific study to back such a policy...  Be interesting to hear their justification...

[Wingbone]

Given that we had some regs like that here in TN until the past few years, I believe most of the shot size regs were put in place back before HTL came on the market. I've heard some old timers say that the Bios thought using only 4,5,6's would yield fewer wounded birds and keep everyone shooting at the head. He said lots a people back in the day shot 00 buck etc. at turkeys cuz they could body shoot them at long distances. On the flip side, there were guys that went to the woods hunting with lead #8s and wounded birds all over the place. I think that most state's policies should be re-examined on legal shot size for turkeys, given the drastic improvements in shot densities and chokes.

[albrubacker]

We are allowed to use blend of different shot... as long as they only contain 4, 5, or 6. Delaware has a mandatory turkey hunting ed class. I took it last yr there they explained the reason for the shot sizes were 4 shot won't penetrate a human skull and no smaller then 6 shot to prevent wounding birds.  

[guesswho]

Delaware has a mandatory turkey hunting ed class. I took it last yr there they explained the reason for the shot sizes were 4 shot won't penetrate a human skull and no smaller then 6 shot to prevent wounding birds.  

Must be some hard headed folks in Delaware.

[derek]

I talked to one of the guys that administers the turkey class in DE about this as I prefer to shoot straight 7s myself, he said it'll likely get changed in the next few years to allow smaller shot. 

Maryland was 4, 5, 6s until a couple years ago when they made the change. 

[albrubacker]

Delaware has a mandatory turkey hunting ed class. I took it last yr there they explained the reason for the shot sizes were 4 shot won't penetrate a human skull and no smaller then 6 shot to prevent wounding birds.   

Must be some hard headed folks in Delaware.

You have no idea! 

[jblackburn]

In Oklahoma we can only use shot that is BB and smaller!  80 yard Dead Coyote, anyone?   

I shoot #6s, don't kill the messenger!

[albrubacker]

Well I emailed DNREC about who to talk about getting a ball rolling to have the law reviewed. Here was their response per an email ;   We are heading down that road. Next season, it will be legal to use duplex or triplex load with 7 or 7 ½ shot as long as the shell also has some 4,5,or 6 shot. We will continue to re-evaluate our regulations with input from the hunting public.

     Gotta try those Mag Blends