Marty...the way I read the .22 calibre restriction is...

larger than .22 caliber long rifle rimfire

to me means a rifle chambered for a cartridge larger in physical overall cartridge dimension than the .22 LR Rimfire cartridge...meaning only the .22 LR Rimfire and smaller is allowed, which leaves only the .17 Rimfire and an air rifle.

The .204 centrefire rifle certainly fires a bullet smaller in diameter than the .22 LR Rimfire, but it is a much larger cartridge overall which, the way I read the restriction, would preclude it from nightime use.

Maybe I am wrong...I am not familiar with the way the rules and regulations can be interpreted over in the US...but that is the way it reads to me mate.

I think I can understand the reasoning behind this...cartridges that are capable of much longer ranges than a .22 LR Rimfire would be a danger at night because of that long range capability. To an experienced, capable, SENSIBLE hunter I don't see this as an issue, but we all know that for every sensible hunter there are two or three morons that just don't give a damn. I have seen it on a number of occasions out here with "spotlighters"...their brains and consideration stop at the limit of the spotlight beam.

Cheers, Vince

Cheers, Vince

I'd interpret what I've read here so far the way Vince has, no .204 at night. The other possible problem to remember is that different officers can interpret the laws in different ways. I had questions about what cartridges were allowed here in NC in certain situations and got conflicting answers from our WRC folks when I asked or emailed.

As an aside... When I asked a certain authority what the rules/laws for concealed carry in their jurisdiction were I was told that "it is the individual's responsibility to know the laws." I received no help whatsoever in finding the pertinent information. To this day I'm not sure what the correct information is!

I am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV nor did I sleep at a Holiday Inn last night but... Reading the Mass. regs, night hunting is only from sunset to midnight and you must use a shotgun or .22 rimfire ( or a .17) after dark and cannot use a light. They really only want you hunting coons and possums after dark.

The .204 is just fine for yotes from 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset (civil twilight).

Stupid things ask for stupid remarks:
so when you see in yotes's eyes that he's preparing to attack you... how is the law on self-defence?

Aloysius, in that case I'd think that the law of survival would be the one to follow. I wouldn't be worried about any other laws until I'd resolved the situation.

Yeah, I'm sure you guys are right about the .204 being against the rules at night. I was kind of half-joking. Anyway, it's daytime for me.

Right now, I'm thinking that 'yotes will be moving through tunnels until the crust on the snow hardens up a bit more. LOL
When it does, they may be chasing deer.