Home Gear by game Small game hunting gear / AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE
Small gamehunting gear. Rabbits and squirrels offer a choice between a rimfire rifle and a field shotgun, subject to local rules.
Find your field notes ↓ 12 PURSUITS THREE APPROACHES EACH SOURCE-LED RESEARCH
HUNTING GEAR / OBSERVATIONS PLATE 01
+ + It starts with
THE PURSUIT SHAPES THE PACK. 01 — 12
01 / CHOOSE YOUR PURSUIT
What brings you outside? Select the game to open its field notes.
02 / COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Small gameField notes Rabbits and squirrels offer a choice between a rimfire rifle and a field shotgun, subject to local rules.
FIELD CONTEXT For rabbits and squirrels. This category does not cover every animal described as small game.
PAIRING 01 +
Illustrative forms · not to scale Small game / OPTION 01
.22 Long Rifle
THE PLATFORM Rimfire rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR)
THE AMMUNITION Factory .22 LR small-game hunting cartridges with small-game flat-nose or expanding bullets. Why consider it A purpose-made rimfire option for rabbit and squirrel hunting where rifles are permitted.
Before you choose Check nonlead requirements. .22 LR is a specific cartridge, not a label for every .22-caliber round.
Sources & further reading+ PAIRING 02 +
Illustrative forms · not to scale Small game / OPTION 02
20-gauge field shotgun
THE PLATFORM 20-gauge shotgun approved for the selected shot material
THE AMMUNITION Factory 20-gauge field shotshells suitable for rabbits or squirrels; nontoxic where required. Why consider it An alternative when you prefer a field shotgun over a rimfire rifle.
Before you choose Match shot material and size to the species and regulations, and shell length to the chamber.
Sources & further reading+ PAIRING 03 +
Illustrative forms · not to scale Small game / OPTION 03
.410-bore field shotgun
THE PLATFORM Shotgun chambered in .410 bore
THE AMMUNITION Factory .410-bore small-game field shotshells; nontoxic where required. Why consider it A small-bore option for an experienced hunter who knows their .410 well.
Before you choose The smaller payload calls for careful pattern confirmation; .410 bore is not a 410-gauge designation.
Sources & further reading+ Research behind the small game notes+ 03 / PUT IT IN PLACE
The hunt sets the rules. Use your state guide to find official seasons and regulations. These comparisons stay general; your exact unit, property and season determine what is permitted.
Where are you planning to hunt? Choose a state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming ⌄
Montana season guide↗ THE LAST PAGE / BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT
Four checks worth keeping. FIELDREADY 01 Match the markings Match the firearm’s marked cartridge or gauge to the ammunition box and headstamp. For shotshells, also confirm shell length and the barrel/choke maker’s approval for the shot material.
Read the source+ 02 Check this hunt Open the current state rules and the specific public-area hunt notice. Season, method, caliber, shot size and archery requirements can differ within one state.
Read the source+ 03 Check projectile rules Waterfowl and coot hunting requires federally approved nontoxic shot. California requires certified nonlead ammunition when taking wildlife with firearms. Other public areas can have additional restrictions.
Read the source+ 04 Fit comes first Choose equipment you handle confidently and confirm its performance before hunting. Have a qualified archery professional match the bow, arrows and broadheads to you and the intended game.
Read the source+ A NOTE ON THE RESEARCH Recommendations are Public Hunting Land Near Me editorial judgments informed by the linked agency, hunter-education and manufacturer sources. Manufacturer links document compatibility and intended use; they are not sponsorships or a national approval list.
Research reviewed November 9, 2026 . Illustrations show equipment families, not exact products.
Our research approach ↗