If I remember correctly, the plug must remain in the shotgun for all hunting. The only exception is the special goose season. I am not sure if this season is even exists any more. It does not make sense to me. You can hunt with a 30 round magazine in an AR-15, but only 3 rounds in a shotgun.

I'd like to know the reasoning also. I hunt with a club in Mississippi on occasion. In MS, you can deer unt with the plug OUT and it is perfectly legal. Not sure if it is legal if hunting small game or birds.

It's a good question. You're right on the special goose season. Conservation season from feb to march 31 you can use a unplugged gun, electronic game calls, and there is no bag limit on Ross'/blues and snow geese. It still exists. Yet there's fine lines from shotgun to rifle, state to private land. I would much rather a shot gunner have five shots of any shell over a guy with a high powered rifle and 30 rounds. Having 5 rounds or more in a rifle and requiring a plugged shotgun wouldn't make sense either. Maybe it's like other overbearing laws we have.apply the ones they know more people will get caught doing so they can fine you. Anyone really know?

The reason is because people were killing to many ducks. Also, because if there was no limit to how any shells you can have in your gun then some people will just shoot and shoot and shoot at an animal. Trust me theres reasons why they put laws like that.

true cajun - I disagree. You say people will just shoot and shoot an animal. How many people have you heard of shooting a deer with all 5 rounds of their big rifle? How many people have shot an animal with all 7 rounds from a 30/30?
If I can load 30 rounds into my AR and shoot a deer, why am I limited on my shotgun?
Personally, I thing its a modification thing. Shot guns come with plugs in and maybe the law was to eliminate someone modifying their gun????

When pumps shotguns came out the guys with double
barrels (2 shots only) were upset that the newfangled guns could hold more shells and were not deemed truly sporting so a federal plug law was passed...and it stuck. True or not I am not sure but it is what I read.

They tell you how many shells your gun can hold, but they don't tell you how many guns you can have.... bring 2 or 3 or more shotguns and when one is out, grab the next... then you can have your 6, 9, 12, ect... how ever many shells you want loaded.

I can load 4 in my beretta with the plug in......ghost loading