Just be careful when shooting animals and birds. The term pest is constantly being misinterpreted in regard to airguns with "conflict wildlife" being a much better term. In the US, make sure to check with not only your state for regulations but also if your shooting in an incorporated village or municipality. While it may be legal to shoot squirrels or pest birds with an airgun in a state, there may be laws where you plan to shoot that prohibit the discharge of an airgun or as it is more commonly stated, make it "...illegal to propel an object towards any animal or wildlife with the intent to injure or kill."
Birds in the US are especially tricky as most fall under protection of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918. There are several exceptions for certain species in general (i.e., pigeon, European starling, English house sparrow, etc.) as well as certain species (i.e., black birds, crows, ect.) that have no protection in specific situations. Additionally, just because a species is not protected under the MBTA, it does not mean the state does not offer it protection. For example, mute swans are no longer protected by the MBTA, but the state of Ohio offers them protection so removal requires a special permit. Also, look at the planned shooting area to see if it is listed as a bird sanctuary (more and more of these keep popping up but it should be stated in the city ordinances if it actually is one). This can be tricky as shooting of rabbits and squirrels may be legal (either under the nuisance rules or during hunting season), but birds may be protected (including pigeons, sparrows and starlings).
A good rule of thumb here is just because someone said they did or could do it or you saw it on a DVD or YouTube, remember it doesn't mean it is legal where you are or that the person giving the information is correct. To protect our sport and get airguns accepted for regulated hunting and conflict control purposes, shooters need to research all laws related to what they plan to do before they pull the trigger. As I say in my hunting education classes, once the trigger has been pulled, it's too late.
Birds in the US are especially tricky as most fall under protection of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918. There are several exceptions for certain species in general (i.e., pigeon, European starling, English house sparrow, etc.) as well as certain species (i.e., black birds, crows, ect.) that have no protection in specific situations. Additionally, just because a species is not protected under the MBTA, it does not mean the state does not offer it protection. For example, mute swans are no longer protected by the MBTA, but the state of Ohio offers them protection so removal requires a special permit. Also, look at the planned shooting area to see if it is listed as a bird sanctuary (more and more of these keep popping up but it should be stated in the city ordinances if it actually is one). This can be tricky as shooting of rabbits and squirrels may be legal (either under the nuisance rules or during hunting season), but birds may be protected (including pigeons, sparrows and starlings).
A good rule of thumb here is just because someone said they did or could do it or you saw it on a DVD or YouTube, remember it doesn't mean it is legal where you are or that the person giving the information is correct. To protect our sport and get airguns accepted for regulated hunting and conflict control purposes, shooters need to research all laws related to what they plan to do before they pull the trigger. As I say in my hunting education classes, once the trigger has been pulled, it's too late.
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