LA/TX minimum caliber?

wayneinFL · November 4, 2012, 09:21 PM

Anybody know if there is a minimum caliber for handgun hunting for deer/hog in TX/LA? I'm working in Louisiana, and carrying a handgun, but might get a chance to hunt at some point. I perused several pages of regs and didn't see anything, but figured I'd double check.

TXAZ · November 4, 2012, 09:29 PM

Check on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, I believe they have a link there to the rules.

Good luck.

Art Eatman · November 5, 2012, 12:08 AM

SFAIK in Texas, no restrictions for deer hunting, other than it can't be rimfire. Common sense says at least .38 Special, although a .357 is much better. Some guys use .40s and .45ACP, although mostly at bow-hunting distances.

wayneinFL · November 5, 2012, 01:22 AM

As far as the common sense goes, I'm looking at bow hunting distances. I've never shot at anything over 25 yards anyway. So for simplicity, I'm looking to bring an accurate, full sized carry gun. I have a 357, 41 mag, 10mm, 44 mag, 480 Ruger, but a hunt would be more of a side trip and hate to bring a hand cannon and leave it in the hotel while I'm working.

The main thing I'm looking to get out of the thread is some assurance from a few locals that I didn't miss something while perusing the regulations.

rickyrick · November 5, 2012, 06:25 AM

I can't speak for LA.

TX no rimfired cartridges for deer.
Hogs any legal weapon. Each state should have a Parks and Wildlife website.

rickyrick · November 5, 2012, 06:28 AM

As long as you can legally own a handgun in Texas you may have it in your car, should be no reason to leave it in the hotel.

wayneinFL · November 5, 2012, 05:03 PM

Working in New Orleans, not TX. We've had materials and equipment stolen from jobsites, hotels, and locked vehicles. Not leaving a gun in a hotel or a car, even if I had a car there.

Ben Towe · November 6, 2012, 02:18 AM

I would carry the 10mm I think. Big enough for hogs and deer and still good for CC.

Zorro · November 11, 2012, 12:24 AM

Just a suggestion .357 Magnum with a Six inch barrel as a bare minimum.

Recommendation, .44 Magnum with a 7 1/2 inch Barrel.

Basically a Ruger Super Blackhawk is a good proven hunting pistol that combines light weight with very acceptable power and recoil.

November 4, 2012, 09:21 PM	#1
wayneinFL Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Posts: 1,944	LA/TX minimum caliber? Anybody know if there is a minimum caliber for handgun hunting for deer/hog in TX/LA? I'm working in Louisiana, and carrying a handgun, but might get a chance to hunt at some point. I perused several pages of regs and didn't see anything, but figured I'd double check.

November 4, 2012, 09:29 PM	#2
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	Check on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, I believe they have a link there to the rules. Good luck. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

November 5, 2012, 06:25 AM	#5
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	I can't speak for LA. TX no rimfired cartridges for deer. Hogs any legal weapon. Each state should have a Parks and Wildlife website. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

November 5, 2012, 06:28 AM	#6
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	As long as you can legally own a handgun in Texas you may have it in your car, should be no reason to leave it in the hotel. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

November 6, 2012, 02:18 AM	#8
Ben Towe Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 1,128	I would carry the 10mm I think. Big enough for hogs and deer and still good for CC. __________________ 'Merica: Back to back World War Champs

November 5, 2012, 12:08 AM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	SFAIK in Texas, no restrictions for deer hunting, other than it can't be rimfire. Common sense says at least .38 Special, although a .357 is much better. Some guys use .40s and .45ACP, although mostly at bow-hunting distances.

November 5, 2012, 01:22 AM	#4
wayneinFL Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Posts: 1,944	As far as the common sense goes, I'm looking at bow hunting distances. I've never shot at anything over 25 yards anyway. So for simplicity, I'm looking to bring an accurate, full sized carry gun. I have a 357, 41 mag, 10mm, 44 mag, 480 Ruger, but a hunt would be more of a side trip and hate to bring a hand cannon and leave it in the hotel while I'm working. The main thing I'm looking to get out of the thread is some assurance from a few locals that I didn't miss something while perusing the regulations.

November 5, 2012, 05:03 PM	#7
wayneinFL Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Posts: 1,944	Working in New Orleans, not TX. We've had materials and equipment stolen from jobsites, hotels, and locked vehicles. Not leaving a gun in a hotel or a car, even if I had a car there.

November 11, 2012, 12:24 AM	#9
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2000 Posts: 1,072	Just a suggestion .357 Magnum with a Six inch barrel as a bare minimum. Recommendation, .44 Magnum with a 7 1/2 inch Barrel. Basically a Ruger Super Blackhawk is a good proven hunting pistol that combines light weight with very acceptable power and recoil.

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