Hunting with Airguns - Add your State
- Thread starter Moderator
- Start date
New Jersey regs:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/airgun_info.htm
Basically squirrel and rabbit with .177 and .22 calibers only. Gun must be capable of 600 FPS or higher velocity, and MAY NOT BE MODERATED FOR SOUND IN ANY WAY (no Marauders, TKO muzzle breaks, "Silence-Air technology," Gamo "Whisper" or "Silent" anything...they want you loud and proud). How do you determine if your gun is "silenced?" The state leaves it up to you to find that out, and reserves the right to disagree at any time. Simply being caught in possession of a "silenced firearm" (yes, they consider a Marauder and the like a silenced firearm) is a second degree indictable offense (felony). Proceed with caution.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/airgun_info.htm
Basically squirrel and rabbit with .177 and .22 calibers only. Gun must be capable of 600 FPS or higher velocity, and MAY NOT BE MODERATED FOR SOUND IN ANY WAY (no Marauders, TKO muzzle breaks, "Silence-Air technology," Gamo "Whisper" or "Silent" anything...they want you loud and proud). How do you determine if your gun is "silenced?" The state leaves it up to you to find that out, and reserves the right to disagree at any time. Simply being caught in possession of a "silenced firearm" (yes, they consider a Marauder and the like a silenced firearm) is a second degree indictable offense (felony). Proceed with caution.
Upvote 0
TENNESSEE
Small Game Legal Hunting Equipment
(air guns .25 caliber and smaller)
Furbearers & Crow - beaver, bobcat, coyote, fox, groundhog, mink, muskrat, nutria, possum, river otter, raccoon, skunk and weasel
All other small game - rabbit and squirrel
https://www.tn.gov/twra/article/hunting-equipment-methods
Species Deemed Destructive
Wild Hogs - In 2011 regulations were enacted that changed wild hog management. Wild hogs were removed from big game classification and are now considered a destructive species to be controlled by methods other than sport hunting such as trapping. Landowners have more opportunity than ever before to control wild hogs on their properties. They can shoot wild hogs year-round during the day without limit. No licensing requirements exist for landowners or their designees. Landowners are required to report the number of hogs killed on their property and the manner in which they were killed. If the damage to your farmland is extensive, night time hunting is allowed. These changes have opened up the opportunity for wild hogs to be taken with air rifles.
https://www.tn.gov/twra/article/wild-hog-regulations
Small Game Legal Hunting Equipment
(air guns .25 caliber and smaller)
Furbearers & Crow - beaver, bobcat, coyote, fox, groundhog, mink, muskrat, nutria, possum, river otter, raccoon, skunk and weasel
All other small game - rabbit and squirrel
https://www.tn.gov/twra/article/hunting-equipment-methods
Species Deemed Destructive
Wild Hogs - In 2011 regulations were enacted that changed wild hog management. Wild hogs were removed from big game classification and are now considered a destructive species to be controlled by methods other than sport hunting such as trapping. Landowners have more opportunity than ever before to control wild hogs on their properties. They can shoot wild hogs year-round during the day without limit. No licensing requirements exist for landowners or their designees. Landowners are required to report the number of hogs killed on their property and the manner in which they were killed. If the damage to your farmland is extensive, night time hunting is allowed. These changes have opened up the opportunity for wild hogs to be taken with air rifles.
https://www.tn.gov/twra/article/wild-hog-regulations
Upvote 0
Benjamin/ Crossman has a comprehensive state list that is frequently updated.
http://www.crosman.com/pdf/HuntingRegsChart.pdf
http://www.crosman.com/pdf/HuntingRegsChart.pdf
Upvote 0
One of the states I hunt is VA - This really gets me the way it is worded. - Take a look at what is underlined and in bold....
So by interpretation, I can hunt anything with an air rifle as long as it is .23 and above including bear and deer. It says I can hunt any wild animal....
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/general.asp
Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle
So by interpretation, I can hunt anything with an air rifle as long as it is .23 and above including bear and deer. It says I can hunt any wild animal....
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/general.asp
Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Tackle
- No restrictions on shot size except for spring gobbler season when it is unlawful to have any shot in possession larger than number 2 fine shot while hunting.
- Shotguns must not be larger than 10 gauge.
- Unplugged shotguns are legal for hunting nonmigratory game and crows.
- Shotgun barrels must be at least 18 inches long.
- Shotguns with rifled barrels are permitted in areas where slugs may be used.
- All game birds and animals, except deer, may be hunted with shotguns from boats. Hunters must have permission from the landowner to hunt/retrieve game located on private land.
- Rifles used for deer or bear must be .23 caliber or larger.
- Rifles (including air rifles) may be used for taking wild animals and wild birds, except migratory game birds and waterfowl, and where prohibited by local ordinances.
- Rifles (including air rifles), pistols, and revolvers may be used for hunting crows and turkeys, except where prohibited by local ordinances.
- Pistols, revolvers, and muzzleloading pistols may be used for small game, except where prohibited by local ordinances.
- Pistols and revolvers are lawful for deer and bear hunting only in those counties where hunting deer and bear with rifles is lawful. Cartridges used must be .23 caliber or larger and have a manufacturer's rating of 350 foot-pounds muzzle energy or more.
- Muzzleloading pistols of .45 caliber or larger (.50 caliber or larger is recommended) are permitted for hunting big game where and in those seasons when the use of muzzleloading rifles is permitted.
- Muzzleloading shotguns, muzzleloading rifles, or archery tackle may be used to hunt during the firearms seasons where not prohibited.
- Archery tackle (including crossbows) may be used for hunting wild birds and animals.
- The laws governing the use of archery tackle also apply to crossbow tackle.
Upvote 0
California regs
http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/uplandgamebirdregs.aspx#300(f) Air rifles powered by compressed air or gas and used with any caliber of pellet, except that wild turkey may only be taken with a pellet that is at least 0.177 caliber.
http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/uplandgamebirdregs.aspx#475
California Department of Fish and Game (DF&G), pellet rifles are legal means of
take for all (that’s
“ALL”) California Resident Small Game.
DF&G regulations: Chapter 2: Resident Small Game: 311: Methods Authorized for
Taking Resident Small Game:
(f): “Air rifles firing pellets and powered by compressed air or gas (0.20 caliber minimum
for taking wild turkey);”
Ok, so what critters are open to airgun hunters in California?
DF&G regulations: Chapter 1: General Provisions and Definitions: S257: Resident
Small Game Defined:
“Resident small game means the following resident game birds: Chinese spotted doves,
ringed turtle doves of the family Columbidae, California quail and varieties thereof,
Gambel or desert quail, mountain quail and varieties thereof, blue grouse and varieties
thereof, ruffed grouse, sage grouse (sage hens), white-tailed ptarmigan, Hungarian
partridges, redlegged partridges, including the chukar and other varieties, ring-necked
pheasants and varieties, and wild turkeys of the order Galliformes, and the following
game mammals: jack rabbits and varying hares (genus Lupus), cottontail rabbits, brush
California small game and varmint pellet rifle hunting
Page 2 of 61
rabbits, pigmy rabbits (genus Syluilagus), and tree squirrels (genus Sciurus and
Tamiasciurus).”
What else can you pellet rifle hunt in California?
Nongame “varmint” hunting in California:
DF&G regulations: Chapter 6. Nongame animals: S472. General provisions:
“(a) The following nongame birds and mammals may be taken at any time of the year
and in any number except as prohibited in Chapter 6: English sparrow, starling, coyote,
weasels, skunks, opossum, moles and rodents (excluding tree and flying squirrels, and
those listed as furbearers, endangered or threatened species).”
And how can you take them (what weapons)?
DF&G regulations: Chapter 6. Nongame animals: S475. Methods of Take for
Nongame Birds and Mammals:
“Nongame birds and mammals may be taken in any manner except as follows:” The
exceptions are sections S475(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e).
Section S475.(a) says that you can’t use poisons. Section S475.(b) says that electronic
game calls are only ok for coyotes, bobcats, crows and starlings. Section S475.(c) says
that various exotics like fallow deer, sambar deer, axis deer, feral goats, etc. can only be
taken with various firearms and archery gear described in Chapter 3 Big Game, Section
353. Methods Authorized for Taking Big Game.
Section S476.(d) restricts the use of leg-hold and other traps. And Section S476.(e) says
that you can’t put out bait while using dogs to hunt non-game, and bobcats have other
restrictions listed in Section S478.
Of the above non-game species, English sparrows, starlings and ground squirrels are very
suitable quarry for most pellet rifle hunters.
http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/uplandgamebirdregs.aspx#300(f) Air rifles powered by compressed air or gas and used with any caliber of pellet, except that wild turkey may only be taken with a pellet that is at least 0.177 caliber.
http://www.fgc.ca.gov/regulations/current/uplandgamebirdregs.aspx#475
California Department of Fish and Game (DF&G), pellet rifles are legal means of
take for all (that’s
“ALL”) California Resident Small Game.
DF&G regulations: Chapter 2: Resident Small Game: 311: Methods Authorized for
Taking Resident Small Game:
(f): “Air rifles firing pellets and powered by compressed air or gas (0.20 caliber minimum
for taking wild turkey);”
Ok, so what critters are open to airgun hunters in California?
DF&G regulations: Chapter 1: General Provisions and Definitions: S257: Resident
Small Game Defined:
“Resident small game means the following resident game birds: Chinese spotted doves,
ringed turtle doves of the family Columbidae, California quail and varieties thereof,
Gambel or desert quail, mountain quail and varieties thereof, blue grouse and varieties
thereof, ruffed grouse, sage grouse (sage hens), white-tailed ptarmigan, Hungarian
partridges, redlegged partridges, including the chukar and other varieties, ring-necked
pheasants and varieties, and wild turkeys of the order Galliformes, and the following
game mammals: jack rabbits and varying hares (genus Lupus), cottontail rabbits, brush
California small game and varmint pellet rifle hunting
Page 2 of 61
rabbits, pigmy rabbits (genus Syluilagus), and tree squirrels (genus Sciurus and
Tamiasciurus).”
What else can you pellet rifle hunt in California?
Nongame “varmint” hunting in California:
DF&G regulations: Chapter 6. Nongame animals: S472. General provisions:
“(a) The following nongame birds and mammals may be taken at any time of the year
and in any number except as prohibited in Chapter 6: English sparrow, starling, coyote,
weasels, skunks, opossum, moles and rodents (excluding tree and flying squirrels, and
those listed as furbearers, endangered or threatened species).”
And how can you take them (what weapons)?
DF&G regulations: Chapter 6. Nongame animals: S475. Methods of Take for
Nongame Birds and Mammals:
“Nongame birds and mammals may be taken in any manner except as follows:” The
exceptions are sections S475(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e).
Section S475.(a) says that you can’t use poisons. Section S475.(b) says that electronic
game calls are only ok for coyotes, bobcats, crows and starlings. Section S475.(c) says
that various exotics like fallow deer, sambar deer, axis deer, feral goats, etc. can only be
taken with various firearms and archery gear described in Chapter 3 Big Game, Section
353. Methods Authorized for Taking Big Game.
Section S476.(d) restricts the use of leg-hold and other traps. And Section S476.(e) says
that you can’t put out bait while using dogs to hunt non-game, and bobcats have other
restrictions listed in Section S478.
Of the above non-game species, English sparrows, starlings and ground squirrels are very
suitable quarry for most pellet rifle hunters.
Upvote 0
I've had a hard time finding anything solid for Indiana. All I know for certain is air guns are allowed for small game but not water fowl.
Upvote 0
Here is the link to their site. I would call them monday. I'll call them monday..
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2343.htm
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2343.htm
Upvote 0
I searched their REGS using the FIND feature and came up with nothing on the use of air, pellet, bb or similar in the regs. Only reference to pellet was the mention of shotguns and muzzleloading.
Upvote 0
As for PA, yeah, just saw that. What a shame. New Hampshire too. We need to get together an Airguns rights group to start lobbying these states similar to the way the NRA is doing. Deal in facts and science, not emotions fear, and general misinformation that politicians and media project onto the public.
Upvote 0
So on this point you need enough muzzle energy, somthing that only the big bore air rifles have.
Upvote 0
Washington:
In Washington it seems that my options are pretty limited to unclassified nuisance quarry. I found this list of unclassified animals that can be hunted in unlimited quantities just about anywhere (except for school properties and other public areas) with just about anything. Shoot it, stab it, club it, whatever...
WDFW Q&A about using airguns to hunt unclassified animals:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/356/I+heard+about+hunting+unclassified+wildlife.+What+do+I+need+to+purchase+and+what+type+of+weapons+can+I+use+to+hunt+them%3F
Pages 151-152 (or pages 154-155 of the PDF file)
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01676/wdfw01676.pdf
WDFW Q&A about not being allowed to hunt any game bird or game animal with an airgun:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/92/Is+it+legal+to+use+pellet+guns%2C+air+guns%2C+or+sling+shots+to+harvest+game+birds%3F
WDFW has a good guide to squirrels in Washington. Western gray, Douglas', red, and flying squirrels are all protected species in Washington (WAC 232-12-011). Eastern gray, eastern fox, and California ground squirrels are not protected in WA. So if it's gray, it's probably safest to not shoot. It might be an Eastern Gray Squirrel, but it's hard to tell them apart in my opinion.
Eastern Gray Squirrel:
Western Gray Squirrel:
In Washington it seems that my options are pretty limited to unclassified nuisance quarry. I found this list of unclassified animals that can be hunted in unlimited quantities just about anywhere (except for school properties and other public areas) with just about anything. Shoot it, stab it, club it, whatever...
WDFW Q&A about using airguns to hunt unclassified animals:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/356/I+heard+about+hunting+unclassified+wildlife.+What+do+I+need+to+purchase+and+what+type+of+weapons+can+I+use+to+hunt+them%3F
Pages 151-152 (or pages 154-155 of the PDF file)
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01676/wdfw01676.pdf
WDFW Q&A about not being allowed to hunt any game bird or game animal with an airgun:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/92/Is+it+legal+to+use+pellet+guns%2C+air+guns%2C+or+sling+shots+to+harvest+game+birds%3F
WDFW has a good guide to squirrels in Washington. Western gray, Douglas', red, and flying squirrels are all protected species in Washington (WAC 232-12-011). Eastern gray, eastern fox, and California ground squirrels are not protected in WA. So if it's gray, it's probably safest to not shoot. It might be an Eastern Gray Squirrel, but it's hard to tell them apart in my opinion.
Eastern Gray Squirrel:
Western Gray Squirrel:
Upvote 0
skygear, air guns are like drivers licenses, they are a privilege not a "right". The NRA is successful because of the 2nd Amendment and the fact that they spend millions of dollars each year buying the needed support of Congressmen and Senators. If people in NH and PA wanted to hunt with air guns, I'm sure we would hear about it. Maybe you should start a post asking air gunners in those states to respond. It would be interesting to see if anyone does.
Upvote 0
I'm from Pa. I would like to hunt with airguns but not legal here. So I would most likely go to Md they allow small game hunting in season of course. Luckily I only live 15 min away but I would have to get an out of state license.
Upvote 0
Have you tried contacting the Commission and speaking with them concerning air rifles?
[email protected]
Upvote 0
Arizona: http://azgfdportal.az.gov/hunting/regulations
Arizona is an airgun mecca. Antelope, bear, bighorn sheep, deer, javelina, and mountain lion can be taken with a .35 or larger PCP. Pretty much all other game can be taken with any airgun. And rabbit season is 365 days a year.
Arizona is an airgun mecca. Antelope, bear, bighorn sheep, deer, javelina, and mountain lion can be taken with a .35 or larger PCP. Pretty much all other game can be taken with any airgun. And rabbit season is 365 days a year.
Upvote 0