I recommend you don't use the gun until you get a plug as the C O will definitely check for one if you get stopped.
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Just an update, bought some wood dowling, soaked in gun oil, works like a charm. Thanks again. Good luck in your harvest everyone.
I know this is a bit late, but I agree - the terminology in the regulations does not define "repeating" . Usually very specific words are used and given that the statement in the regulations specifies both "repeating and semi-automatic", semi-automatic being redundant, it leads to confusion. When I read this the first time I spent trying to figure out what a repeating shotgun was and how it was different than my pump.
I can't tell you the amount of times I've been checked for a plug in my shotgun, mostly while hunting waterfowl, couple times for turkey. Can't blame them for checking though when you hear 5,6,7 rounds being fired in uniform succession, sure it could be a couple guys and the timing is perfect, but I'd wager more times than not there's a plug missing.
Some older bolt action shotguns rated for three inch shells would hold four 2 3/4" shells if you did them right. My buddy had one that he used in the duck blind or for jump shooting. Didn't t mean he killed more birds, but the ones he hit were deader....
If it is easy to get to your plug, for example you can take out the magazine spring and access the whole thing, then pay attention to the magazine tube area with your regular cleaning, if you do this then you should have no problems with rust, but wood does absorb moisture and plastic does not. What you did with the oil soaked dowel is great, I have a 1920s shotgun with just wood as a plug and it is fine, you just have to watch it.