Traveling to California with a Shotgun

[SkinnyGrey]

My friend and I are planning on going hog hunting in California. We planned on hunting with shotguns, however neither of us have rifles registered in California. I know California is pretty crazy with their laws, so I was wondering if I could visit said state with a pump action which is not registered. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Field Tester]

We don't have registration here. As long as your firearms are not on the prohibited list you should be fine. Make sure to also check hunting regs.

 

[SkinnyGrey]

Any idea if a Remington 870 or 887 is legal to hunt hogs with in California?

 

[Field Tester]

No doubt in my mind the 870 is. A few friends use them. I think with hogs you still have to have your limiter in, but don't quote me on that part.

 

[Field Tester]

887 is fine too. Only certain handguns and rifles aren't approved. Even then it usually only certain features. You should be fine with what you have. Where are you planning on hunting?

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask. I'll try and check this thread over the next couple of days.

 

[SkinnyGrey]

Thanks, that's very generous! We were thinking about Eastern Sierra but neither of us have licenses which I am now reading that we would be required to have.

 

[splithoof]

You will need licenses, tags, and depending where exactly the hunt takes place, ammunition that contains NO LEAD. The unleaded requirement is in areas where California Condors are present in most cases, thanks again to our environmentalist legislature and the Center for Biological Diversity. I would imagine the price for no-lead shotgun slugs are very high, if you can find them. Most of us use rifles for that reason, and some of us reload our own ammunition to take advantage of a better selection.

 

[Field Tester]

Thanks, that's very generous! We were thinking about Eastern Sierra but neither of us have licenses which I am now reading that we would be required to have.

No problem, I'm glad to help. You'll be hunting in a very beautiful area. You're going to need an out of state license/permit. How much hunting experience do you have? What ammo would you like to use? Splithoof is correct, there is certain areas where lead is banned Exposure to lead can lead to soft shells in birds among a myriad of other issues for the wildlife. Just make sure if lead is used that you're not in a Condor area and in any other area make sure to recover the lead if the carcass is left to the buzzards. That's a no brainer though.

How and when are you traveling out here?

 

[SkinnyGrey]

It would be at the end of September, but we don't have licenses so it might be untenable

 

[allaroundhunter]

I have found zinc slugs at Academy for about $7/5. Not a bad price for a lead free round, but I have no idea how they perform.

 

[splithoof]

^^^Zinc. Never hunted hogs with shotguns, I wonder also how they perform??

 

[Zoogster]

A pump will certainly not be an issue.

Semi autos need to be absent features like a pistol grip that turn them into assault weapons.



The license you will need is for hunting not the guns.
You will need non-resident hunting licenses. They have temporary ones that last a day or two, and year long ones for about $160.

In California the base license allows for very limited things, and you will need additional tags for various animals that add up quickly.

Currently each non resident pig tag costs $73.44.

This is in a state that has decided to spend millions to have the government fly around in choppers and shoot pigs to death in certain areas.
Charging people that would be happy to do it for free per tag like they are protecting some resource, while simultaneously spending tax dollars to try and slaughter as many as they can.

 

[splithoof]

^^^It has nothing to do with logic, it is all about making it a place that totally discourages in all possible avenues firearm ownership, hunting, or individuals who dare to not need government nanny services at every turn. Environmentalism has taken over the great outdoors, hence the official change from California Department of Fish and Game to that of Fish and Wildlife. Hunting license fees and tag prices are outrageous by design, for the collection of revenue.
If you are willing to hoop dance, the hunting can still be very good; just be mindful of not running afoul of some of our draconian regulations.

 

[oneounceload]

Having lived right next door in Northern NV for a while, be prepared for the possibility of snow in the Sierras in September - it can, and has, happened before