.17 VS .22

[Jack L]

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunti...nformation.pdf

This link would not support that claim in the Condor areas.

Don't get me wrong I think no-lead is a joke but not willing to lose my license over it.

[not-fishing]

I have both and rarely shoot my Henry's .17 lever.

You can't shoot .17 against steel at most ranges.

You can't shoot .17 in most rimfire matches.

You can't shoot .17 in Bullseye matches.

But for hunting .17 is great.

[Varmintgetter]

I finally spoke to my local F&W Warden. Under current law, there is a loophole. When the lead free rounds went into effect, it was written for hunting game animals. It does not cover non game ground animals like squirrels. You also do not need a hunting license to shoot the squirrels. The warden said he is trying to get the law changed so that loop hole is done away with but nothing on the books right yet. For the time being, you can use lead .22 rimfire rounds for squirrels on non game animals and no need for a hunting license at least for depredation. I told him I didn’t want to get in trouble and wanted to make sure I was not breaking any law.

I feel your Warden is a very generous person...and he is overlooking the law.

My 5000+ acre Ranch within the condor zone has a ground squirrel problem..DFG says I must use non-lead. However, I can use lead pellets if I shoot pellet guns because DFG regulates Firearms and pellet guns are not firearms.

Under their Questions and Answers PDF download (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/)

Under the Question of "What are the regulations and options for hunting with .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms?"
In the answer it states:
"Rimfire firearms are legal for nongame animals (coyotes and ground squirrels primarily) and for sport hunting of small game mammals [hares (jackrabbits), cottontail, and tree squirrel]. However, for nongame animals the Commission has prohibited use of lead projectiles in .22 rimfire or smaller firearms as part of this regulation change in condor range."

"Are pellet rifles included in the non-lead ammunition ban?
Pellet rifles are not considered a firearm. Consequently, neither pellet rifles nor their projectiles would be included in the ban."

Either way how you want...I think it depends on the warden and the mood.

.17 caliber is definitely a much more superior rimfire in regards to hunting..they just work...I've since favoring the 17 and pellet guns.

[Dattebayo]

I feel your Warden is a very generous person...and he is overlooking the law.

My 5000+ acre Ranch within the condor zone has a ground squirrel problem..DFG says I must use non-lead. However, I can use lead pellets if I shoot pellet guns because DFG regulates Firearms and pellet guns are not firearms.

Under their Questions and Answers PDF download (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/)

Under the Question of "What are the regulations and options for hunting with .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms?"
In the answer it states:
"Rimfire firearms are legal for nongame animals (coyotes and ground squirrels primarily) and for sport hunting of small game mammals [hares (jackrabbits), cottontail, and tree squirrel]. However, for nongame animals the Commission has prohibited use of lead projectiles in .22 rimfire or smaller firearms as part of this regulation change in condor range."

"Are pellet rifles included in the non-lead ammunition ban?
Pellet rifles are not considered a firearm. Consequently, neither pellet rifles nor their projectiles would be included in the ban."

Either way how you want...I think it depends on the warden and the mood.

.17 caliber is definitely a much more superior rimfire in regards to hunting..they just work...I've since favoring the 17 and pellet guns.

I thought that was the situation as well. It isn't the fact that you are shooting lead into animals, it is the fact they are trying to protect condors, which in result can end up eating said animal and get lead poisoning. Condors are endangered as you all may know, which is why this lead ammunition is an issue to begin with.

I am personally all about the .22LR for small varmint hunting. They are cheap, effective, and probably the most you'd need for squirrel or rabbit. .17 rounds seem really great, but I feel for their price, it isn't worth the benefit you receive from them. If I wanted a rimfire round with more oomph, I think I'd still stick with the 22WMR.

[Jack L]

I feel your Warden is a very generous person...and he is overlooking the law.

My 5000+ acre Ranch within the condor zone has a ground squirrel problem..DFG says I must use non-lead. However, I can use lead pellets if I shoot pellet guns because DFG regulates Firearms and pellet guns are not firearms.

Under their Questions and Answers PDF download (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/)

Under the Question of "What are the regulations and options for hunting with .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms?"
In the answer it states:
"Rimfire firearms are legal for nongame animals (coyotes and ground squirrels primarily) and for sport hunting of small game mammals [hares (jackrabbits), cottontail, and tree squirrel]. However, for nongame animals the Commission has prohibited use of lead projectiles in .22 rimfire or smaller firearms as part of this regulation change in condor range."

"Are pellet rifles included in the non-lead ammunition ban?
Pellet rifles are not considered a firearm. Consequently, neither pellet rifles nor their projectiles would be included in the ban."

Either way how you want...I think it depends on the warden and the mood.

.17 caliber is definitely a much more superior rimfire in regards to hunting..they just work...I've since favoring the 17 and pellet guns.

About the loophole using lead free and no hunting license required for depredation for NON GAME GROUND ANIMALS, (Squirrels). The warden is very schooled and articulate and is not happy that this satiation has been overlooked when drafting the current law that is in effect. If you would like to talk to him personally about the actual law send me a personal email and I will give you his name and number. He is well known and very active in the state F&W planning and an expert in it's law.