Why do straight wall seasons exist?

[KenLee]

I’m in Georgia, really no “dog” in this fight because we can hunt with firearms from Mid October until January.

That being said, I used to hear all of the time the reason for our extremely long firearm season and liberal bag limits (10 does & 2 bucks) was because the Insurance Companies were lobbying to reduce Deer vs Automobile collisions.
I never believed it much, but the more I think about it… the more sense that makes.

Going back to Straight wall calibers vs ML/Shotgun… I think very similar applies here. Folks with “say” want to use whatever weapons they want, increase firearms/ammunition sales, increase hunter participation AND.. increase deer harvests which will in turn… lower Deer vs Automobile accidents

*Taking the tinfoil hat off* that’s my .02

Insurance companies rule the US. If you don't believe me, just try to get the neurosurgeon recommended back fusion approved.

 

[Dave0317]

On the insurance company note, I’ve heard that is also the largest opposition to reintroducing Elk to all of their former range.

 

[Kurts86]

On the insurance company note, I’ve heard that is also the largest opposition to reintroducing Elk to all of their former range.

The farm bureau’s usually are the largest opposition to elk reintroduction by far and away.

 

[35WhelenWacker]

Yes, it’s a attempt to limit how far a bullet travels, effectively range as well. By limiting to a large bullet usually 35 cal or larger BC is usually low, lots of drag. By being straight wall case capacity is limited keeping velocity down. Some states also limit oal which further limits powder capacity. In the end the regulations create a limit of 250-300 yards for effective bullet performance. Also many of these states allow drives/party hunting.

I have heard some of the changes from shotgun to rifle was to increase participation. Less recoil, higher accuracy vs a shotgun slug. Trajectory is similar.

In iowa which was shotgun only, then straight wall, and now 35 cal or larger, the reasoning has been its flat and we don’t want people shooting 400+ yards. There is a road every mile at a minimum and lots of houses. Some hunters claim that shorter ranges help keep bigger bucks alive longer. Although you can now use almost anything in late seasons in a few hilly counties.

Iowa's original reason for being a slug state was actually not for safety at all surprisingly ( despite most lawmakers listing that as the reason now). The original reason was to limit harvest when deer numbers were at an all time low. Reducing the effective range of hunters to in turn lower success rate and raise deer population. I do think safety is a valid concern now as population density has increased, and there's a lot of idiots that will pull the trigger till their gun is empty with aiming being optional.