Rifle Juggling

August 16, 2012

Question: My wife and I both hunt deer during open season along with small game, preferably squirrels. We carry two rifles each (one for deer and the other for squirrel). After hours of hiking though, it gets tiring. So my question is if I was to carry a small caliber rifle to hunt squirrel and my wife carries a big caliber rifle to hunt deer, would it be legal for us to switch guns during the same trip? For example, after she tags her deer, I could use her gun to go hunt for deer and she’d use my small caliber rifle to hunt squirrels. Or, would we have to continue carrying two guns each to hunt the two different species? (John)

Answer: There is no problem with you and your wife sharing your rifles as long as the appropriate rifle is used for the appropriate species. Remember that rimfire rifles, such as the .22, are legal for squirrel but not for deer. If you are deer hunting, you must carry a centerfire rifle. If you are hunting in the Condor Zone, the large caliber rifle must carry non-lead ammunition. This restriction would not apply to the take of small game including tree squirrel, jackrabbit and cottontail.

I don't think there is anything in the regs to keep you from having a squirrel gun during dear season when the seasons overlap.

Don't forget that on a lot of public land you have to use a shotgun for squirrel.

Have fun.