A buncha states have different rules. In Va, you can shoot them with a rifle or a shotgun. Lots of folks used to use the Savage model 24 O/U with 22 hornet over a 20 gauge. Good from close and decent out far. Personally, I can't imagine hunting them in the spring with a rifle. However, in my old days I shot a few with a rifle (including a muzzleloader) during the fall. All were gobblers even though hens were legal.

foxes rule