Deer hunting in Maryland

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outdoorman

outdoorman

Member
Nov 20, 2016
355
30
Maryland
I just came across a change in regulations for deer and bear hunting that took affect in November so it is not reflected in the latest hunting guide. Previously, the law required that an air rifle produce at least 1200 foot pounds of energy for deer hunting. The new law, COMAR 08.03.04.05, includes:

.05 Devices for Hunting Deer and Black Bear.

(5) An air gun that:

(a) Propels one .40 caliber or greater bullet or ball at a single discharge which generates at least 400 foot-pounds of muzzle energy

Firearms season is over and done with for deer here but good to know info for next season.
 
That's fantastic. I was supposed to be on an email list when they published their proposed regulations.
They apparently published this back in September and was made effective on November 24th, before the Firearms season started......but I only have a .25 right now. I'm going to be looking at some .40's and up now. Should be a bit more accurate then my 870.
 
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I don't know how accurate your particular 870 is but mine is very accurate for a slug gun I can hit a coffee cup every time at 100 yards and I can shoot a 5 inch group at 150 yards with it shooting the Remington aero tips and I've shot several deer at 175 180 yards with it when I'm still comfortable shooting say at seven or 8 inch group this year I bought an Air Force Texan and I shot five deer with it I only recovered three I am still playing around with bullets looking for the right one for this gun I've been using about 200 to 250 grain slugs and I'm shooting a 3 inch group at 100 yards butPower of a slug gun there's no replacing the power of a slug gun the Texan is one of the more powerful boards out there unless you spend big bucks and get a custom I'm around 400 foot pounds of energy with what I'm shooting like I said you can't replace that power ofA slug gun I've talked to several people they said you got to go bigger like a 350 400 green slug to get more knockdown power but you're going to give up range doing that so you're not going to have the range to be able to get the powerit will get the job done your slug gun is far better in my opinion
 
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 I shot about eight different kinds of slugs out of my Texan like I said I'm still looking for the magic bullet I got a couple good leads it's just cold in Michigan now so I'll probably wait till spring to shoot it some more I was surprised on a few deer I shot an eight pointer coming straight to me at the basin neck and drop him right there he was 72 yards and I also shot a doe a few weeks ago at 60 yards and double longer with the company pass-through she also dropped in her tracks but as I mentioned they were to move that ran off so I definitely want more power I didn't want to give up the Rangers the bigger slug but I feel I have no options if you have any questions ask me maybe I have the answers 
 
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"Texan" I shot about eight different kinds of slugs out of my Texan like I said I'm still looking for the magic bullet I got a couple good leads it's just cold in Michigan now so I'll probably wait till spring to shoot it some more I was surprised on a few deer I shot an eight pointer coming straight to me at the basin neck and drop him right there he was 72 yards and I also shot a doe a few weeks ago at 60 yards and double longer with the company pass-through she also dropped in her tracks but as I mentioned they were to move that ran off so I definitely want more power I didn't want to give up the Rangers the bigger slug but I feel I have no options if you have any questions ask me maybe I have the answers
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I appreciate that. At least I have almost a year to do some research. Seems there are quite a few BigBore builders if you look around. I usually see a BB on the yellow for sale every now and then.
 
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I too live in Maryland and have submitted comments to the DNR on this issue, so glad to hear it passed. In regards to shooting my Texan I feel confident shooting out to 100 yards with a 350 grain bullet that I make with a Lee mold. If anyone finds a better bullet that shoots farther please post it. In the mean time I too will keep searching for the magic bullet.
 
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