Handgun Hunting

[Muleys 24/7]

A couple years back I bought a desert egale chambered in .44 to take a bear with, but havn't had the opportunity to get one yet.

I was wondering if anyone hunts, or has hunted big game with a handgun? If so what's your choice handgun?

[Kevin Root]

I have a Smith and Wesson 44 magnum revolver with a Leopold scope. I don't hunt with it much though. I can shoot better with my rifle so I tend to use that more often than the handgun option.

[bigshot]

I love hunting with handguns when I follow hounds. For bear my favorites were a Ruger Super RedHawk in 44 Mag and a Ruger BlackHawk in 45 Long Colt with open sights. For Lions I use a Ruger single six in 22 mag, and for coons and bobcats I use a Ruger Target II, semi auto, with a bull barrel in .22 long rifle. I also have a Ruger Super BlackHawk in 44 Mag with a 2x Leupold scope that shoots 1.5 inch three shot groups at 100 yards. I plan to use it on an Arizona Javelina HAM Hunt (Handgun, Archery, Muzzleloader).

[Old Hunter]

It's legal to use a .22 for big game in Calif?

[Muleys 24/7]

It's legal to use a .22 for big game in Calif?

No not big game

[Kevin Root]

It's legal to use a .22 for big game in Calif?

Not in rimfire rounds for big game to my understanding in CA from my reading of the regs. They define big game as below form what I read.

"Big game" means the following: deer (genus Odocoileus), elk (genus Cervus), pronghorn antelope (genus Antilocarpa), wild pig (feral pigs, European wild pigs and their hybrids (genus Sus), black bear (genus Ursus) and Nelson bighorn sheep (subspecies Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in the areas described in subsection 4902(b) of the Fish and Game

Pistols and revolvers using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles may be used to take deer, bear, and wild pigs.
(d) Pistols and revolvers with minimum barrel lengths of 4 inches, using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles may be used to take elk and bighorn sheep.

There is no maximum rifle caliber specified in Fish and Game regulations for taking coyotes and skunks (nongame mammals). Fish and Game regulations authorize nongame mammals to be taken in any manner (see section 475 in the Mammal Hunting Regulation booklet). This authorization includes firearms with no further description or restriction, except when hunting within the California condor range where lead ammunition is prohibited (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 475(f)).

[buckbull]

I have a S&W 629 .44 magnum with an 8 3/8 inch barrel. I have a burris scope on top. I have taken several whitetails with it, the longest shot being about 90 yards. It certainly adds a challenge to a hunt.

[Old Hunter]

I was referring to the mountain lion with a .22 mag that Bigshot posted?

[xtreme]

I have a Ruger .30 carbine New Model Blackhawk and a Ruger 44 cal. The .30 is very interesting with a lot more range than the 44mag. I have hunted with the 44 mag with open sights. Maybe I will put a scope on the .30 carbine and use it for whitetail hunting from stands.

[Kevin Root]

I was referring to the mountain lion with a .22 mag that Bigshot posted?

I wish they would open up Mountain Lion here. The only way to get them is by getting a depredation permit. Those that prey on pets or livestock can be killed by a property owner after the required depredation permit is secured. There are some big lions here in CA. It would be awesome if they would open up the hunting season on them to the recreational hunter.