CA lead requirements causing big game airgun hunting limitations?

[Raden1943]

I wonder if CA is not moving to changing the laws on big game hunting with airguns due to the current laws on airguns being exempt on the requirements to use non lead ammo with powder burners. I'm wondering if any of you work in the CA fish and game and have any actionable Intel on the internal politics of this issue. I think one possibile step forward would be to allow air powered bolt or arrow launchers during rifle season as crossbows are already allowed. I can see why this would be regulated during primitive hunting season as it's a considerable advantage but I am getting a bit frustrated with the slow process of getting new laws made regarding big game hunting. My own belief on lead hunting not important but I'm really reaching out to see what the current state is regarding the use of air rifles in general in Ca. Is it being considered? Is anyone trying to push this issue. Is it even being considered? If you have an article to share or if you have some information you heard about this please let me know. Thanks lads. - Raden

 

[Raden1943]

BTW airguns are already exempt from lead laws for non game and turkey in CA..... Forgot to mention that.

 

[Deleted 45061]

We did do an episode on this recently, and it was easily the most controversial episode I've done. I think the concerns people have are very valid, and the right to hunt with an airgun is valid as well. Yes I can tell you that there is movement for clarification, but there is also a lot of debate about what negative ramifications that might bring, which are many. Allowing airgun hunting of big game in California is a monster of a problem, and addressing it from either standpoint (keeping the laws as is or asking for clarification) should be done thoughtfully. I think I know of a handful of groups currently considering the process, but they are not wanting to jump the [air]gun on it. The wisdom of the crowd of airgunners I've talked to think the consequences outweigh any positive short term gains.

Think carefully about it. And then think about it again. Make sure to read the current laws a few times too.

 

[napairgunner]

As someone who has to hunt with non-lead ammo with air rifles in CA (the lead free exemption for air rifles is not applicable in all areas of CA) the issue really is this. CA only wants "big game" to be taken with large caliber weapons that are lead free and does not see airgun as capable of doing this. If you proved to DFG that you could kill a deer or other large game with an airgun they would probably say okay fine we'll say you can kill a deer with airgun so a it's this caliber or larger and lead free. Since there is no large caliber lead free ammo for airguns anyway it seems like a moot point. I prefer letting sleeping dogs lie and not bring airguns undue attention of any gov agency personally.

 

[qball]

I’ve already switched over to shooting mostly sub 12FPE and hardly shoot my high powered airguns anyways so y’all enjoy your manly big guns and their new regulations.

 

[Raden1943]

Well it seems to me that an easy compromise would be to allow arrows or bolts to fire out of big bores. Like I said crossbows can already be used during rifle season so it seems like an easy transition. Also I think it may be possible to make lead free big bore ammo in a mould. I will do some testing and let you guys know if I can come up with anything good. Maybe if I can prove proof of concept a company might pick up the idea.

 

[Raden1943]

I’ve already switched over to shooting mostly sub 12FPE and hardly shoot my high powered airguns anyways so y’all enjoy your manly big guns and their new regulations.
View attachment 295751

Sub 12 fpe airguns are really fun and useful too. I just love big bores and hunting as well. I may have to travel to Texas to hunt pigs to use mine in that capacity. Until then watermelons and pumpkins are going to have to do

 

[Calbarry]

As someone who has to hunt with non-lead ammo with air rifles in CA (the lead free exemption for air rifles is not applicable in all areas of CA) the issue really is this. CA only wants "big game" to be taken with large caliber weapons that are lead free and does not see airgun as capable of doing this. If you proved to DFG that you could kill a deer or other large game with an airgun they would probably say okay fine we'll say you can kill a deer with airgun so a it's this caliber or larger and lead free. Since there is no large caliber lead free ammo for airguns anyway it seems like a moot point. I prefer letting sleeping dogs lie and not bring airguns undue attention of any gov agency personally.

I’m curious. Where in Ca are you shooting an airgun where lead isn’t allowed? The only areas I know of are private property where the owner requests no lead

 

[Raden1943]

Yeah I'm not aware of any lead requirements in CA for airguns either. Let us know

 

[napairgunner]

I’m curious. Where in Ca are you shooting an airgun where lead isn’t allowed? The only areas I know of are private property where the owner requests no lead

Fort Hunter Liggett (Monterey County) great for ground squirrel shooting but only lead free, Tejon Ranch (Kern County) also no lead including airguns. I use .25 Kodiak Green's and they work fine got 50 gs with them over Labor Day. Most of the state of course you can use lead in airguns I just happen to hunt in a few places that are the exception. Of course I prefer to use lead so hope the lead ban remains with firearms only.

 

[Hal4son]

Well it seems to me that an easy compromise would be to allow arrows or bolts to fire out of big bores. Like I said crossbows can already be used during rifle season so it seems like an easy transition. Also I think it may be possible to make lead free big bore ammo in a mould. I will do some testing and let you guys know if I can come up with anything good. Maybe if I can prove proof of concept a company might pick up the idea.

Bismuth wadcutters?

 

[Calbarry]

Fort Hunter Liggett (Monterey County) great for ground squirrel shooting but only lead free, Tejon Ranch (Kern County) also no lead including airguns. I use .25 Kodiak Green's and they work fine got 50 gs with them over Labor Day. Most of the state of course you can use lead in airguns I just happen to hunt in a few places that are the exception. Of course I prefer to use lead so hope the lead ban remains with firearms only.

Thanks for clarifying. I’m glad you’re able to hunt on both properties. Do you have to check in and show them your pellets each time you shoot?

 

[napairgunner]

No. At FHL it's all done via their hunting website no one checks if you are lead free but there is a vetting process you have to go through in order to buy a permit and you have to register your firearms have a hunting license etc. It's only open on weekends since it's an active army base (when it is open which is not every weekend) and some part of it are always closed (like the artillery range )but at 160K acres it doesn't really matter and some areas are always open and some weekends there are airgun muzzle loader only which is very cool. It changes every weekend so while a great place access is unpredictable. At Tejon I have a small private place to hunt within their 250K acres and they are all lead free to keep the environmentalists happy. For "normal" airgun game squirrels, rabbits, birds.. the 22 or 25 H&N or JSB lead stuff have always worked fine for me out to about 70 yds but of course lead is just a better material for ammunition so I only use it when I have to.