If You’re Going To Poach

[Oneshot1]

At least learn how to hit something.

My neighbor Squirrel Hunts all year he is out now no less than 5 shots in a row.

oneshot 

[snagged in outlet 3]

5 hours ago, Oneshot1 said:

At least learn how to hit something.

My neighbor Squirrel Hunts all year he is out now no less than 5 shots in a row.

oneshot 

He’s tenderizing them!   😆

[WestCentralFisher]

Whenever I'm deer hunting and hear four or five shots one after another I always chuckle. Sure, you couldn't hit it the first three times, presumably while at closer range and not running for the first shot at least, but now that it's 450 yards away and at a dead run, surely it will go better. 

[fishinwrench]

I have never known the reasoning behind only allowing 2 shells in a magazine when carrying a shotgun..

Not because I ever thought I needed more.....just curious what the actual reason why was 🤔

[snagged in outlet 3]

34 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I have never known the reasoning behind only allowing 2 shells in a magazine when carrying a shotgun..

Not because I ever thought I needed more.....just curious what the actual reason why was 🤔

AI says:   
the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) limits shotgun capacity to 3 shells (two in the magazine, one in the chamber) to comply with the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and standard wildlife management regulations. [1, 2]

[fishinwrench]

Right.  2 in the magazine, 1 in the chamber.   

But why ?  🤷‍♂️ 

 

And the guns are built with a removable plug, which is stupid......If you can't count to 3 then you have no business carrying a firearm in the first place !  😅

[tjm]

Has anyone ever had their guns checked for a plug?

[BilletHead]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

Has anyone ever had their guns checked for a plug?

YEP, I have.    It's a big deal for migratory birds.  You can remove it for slug hunting deer.

   Another crazy deal and this are for migratory birds and it's a Fed deal. The Conservation order for snow geese after regular waterfowl season. You can unplug it and even use extended magazines. Up to 14 rounds worth of 2 3/4 inch shells. You still have to shoot nontoxic shot. I for one with the price of nontoxic waterfowl loads couldn't afford it.  Besides that, an extended tube is nothing but a torture device. 

  You can use an extension for rabbit and squirrel too. 

[BilletHead]

Here you go @fishinwrench,

Today

 

can you remove your shotgun plug for deer in missouri?

 

Short answer: Yes — you can remove your shotgun plug during Missouri’s firearms deer season.

Long answer (with the nuance that actually matters):

 

✅ Missouri law for deer hunting with a shotgun

For firearms deer season, Missouri does not require a shotgun to be plugged. You may use a shotgun capable of holding more than 3 shells.

This comes straight from Missouri Department of Conservation regulations for deer:

• Shotguns must be 20 gauge or larger

• May be pump, semi‑auto, or break‑action

• No plug is required

• Capacity limits do NOT apply during deer season

• You may use slugs or buckshot (though MDC strongly recommends slugs for ethical kills)

 

❗ Where the plug is required

A plug is required when hunting:

• Migratory birds (federal law)

• Doves

• Waterfowl

• Turkey (spring and fall seasons)

Those must be limited to 3 shells total (2 in the magazine + 1 in the chamber).

 

🎯 Bottom line for you in Missouri

If you’re deer hunting on the Sac River, Truman Lake area, or anywhere else in Missouri:

You can legally remove your plug for deer.

If you want, I can also break down the best shotgun setups for Missouri deer (slugs, optics, ranges, etc.) based on what you’re using.

 

how big of an extended magazine can you get for a shotgun

 

You can get very large extended magazines for shotguns, but the real answer depends on what platform you’re running and what you want it for. Since you’re in Missouri, I’ll also flag where capacity limits do and don’t matter.

Here’s the breakdown you actually want.

 

⭐ How big can shotgun magazine extensions get?

1. Tube‑fed shotguns (Mossberg 500/590, Remington 870, Benelli, etc.)

These use magazine tubes, and extensions simply screw on.

Typical max sizes available:

• +1 to +3 — common hunting extensions

• +4 to +7 — common tactical extensions

• +8 to +10 — long, competition‑style tubes

• +12 to +14 — the longest practical tubes (run nearly to the muzzle or past it)

Total capacity: With a +10 or +12 extension, many 12‑gauges can hold 12–14 rounds of 2¾" shells.

Some 3‑gun competitors run tubes that hold 17+1.

 

2. Detachable‑magazine shotguns (Saiga‑12, VEPR‑12, SDS Lynx, etc.)

These use box magazines or drums.

Available sizes:

• 5‑round box mags

• 10‑round box mags

• 12‑round box mags

• 20‑round drums

• 25‑round drums

• 30‑round drums (rare, heavy, but they exist)

Total capacity: A Saiga‑12 with a 20‑round drum is basically the king of “how big can it get.”

 

⭐ Missouri law: When capacity matters

Since you’re in Missouri, here’s the part that actually affects you:

For deer hunting:

➡️ No magazine limit. You can run any extension you want.

For turkey, waterfowl, and migratory birds:

➡️ 3‑shell limit (plug required). Federal law for migratory birds, state law for turkey.

For small game (squirrels, rabbits, etc.):

➡️ No capacity limit.

So if you’re thinking about deer season or home defense, you can run whatever monster tube or drum you want.

 

⭐ If you tell me your shotgun model

I can tell you:

• The largest extension available for your exact gun

• Whether your barrel length will support it

• Whether you’ll need a longer spring

• What brands are actually reliable (Nordic, Carlson’s, S&J, etc.)

Just tell me what you’re running — Mossberg 500, 590, 930, Remington 870, Benelli, or something else — and I’ll dial it in.

 

can you use a shotgun extended magazine for squirrel and rabbit in missouri

 

Yes — you can use a shotgun with an extended magazine for squirrel and rabbit hunting in Missouri.

Here’s the clean, no‑nonsense breakdown that applies to you in Missouri:

 

✅ Missouri small‑game law: No magazine limit

For squirrels and rabbits, Missouri does not impose any magazine capacity restrictions on shotguns.

That means:

• You can run any length magazine tube

• You can run any capacity

• You do not need a plug

• You can use pump, semi‑auto, or break‑action shotguns

This is straight from MDC’s small‑game regulations: Capacity limits only apply to migratory birds and turkey. Squirrels and rabbits are not migratory species.

 

❗ When a plug is required in Missouri

Just to keep it straight:

• Turkey → 3‑shell limit

• Doves → 3‑shell limit

• Waterfowl → 3‑shell limit

• All other small game (squirrel, rabbit, etc.) → No limit

 

🎯 Practical note

Running a huge +10 or +12 tube for squirrels is legal, but it’s also heavy and front‑loaded. Most folks stick with standard capacity or +2/+3 for balance. But if you want to run a monster tube, Missouri law won’t stop you.

 

If you want, tell me what shotgun you’re using and I’ll tell you the largest reliable extension available for that exact model.

 

what is the primary reason for three shells for migratory birds?

 

The primary reason for the 3‑shell limit on migratory bird hunting is to prevent overharvest of migratory species, which cross international borders and are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This limit is one of the federal “framework regulations” used to keep harvest levels compatible with the birds’ ability to maintain healthy populations.

 

🦆 Why the 3‑shell limit exists (the real core reason)

1. To protect shared international bird populations

Migratory birds move between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. The MBTA was created specifically to protect these shared populations from overhunting.

2. To keep harvest levels sustainable

Federal wildlife managers set annual hunting regulations—including bag limits, season lengths, and equipment restrictions—to ensure harvest stays within what the population can replace. The 3‑shell limit is one of those tools.

3. To reduce excessive shooting pressure

Limiting shot capacity reduces the ability to fire long, rapid strings of shots into flocks, which historically caused major declines in migratory bird numbers before the MBTA existed.

 

🧭 Bottom line

The 3‑shell limit is a conservation tool, created under international treaties and enforced through the MBTA, to ensure migratory bird populations remain healthy and huntable for future generations.

If you want, I can also explain why turkey has the same limit even though it’s not a migratory species.

 

[Nick Adams]

35 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

If you want, I can also explain why turkey has the same limit even though it’s not a migratory species.

 

Yes, please.