Today Maryland released the final proposed regulations that will allow airguns to be used on whitetail deer and bear in that state. There is a final public comment period that closes October 17 and Crosman Corporation is asking all interested airgunners to participate, even if you do not live in the state or have plans to hunt in Maryland. The state of Maryland is a leader for the eastern seaboard and many states, particularly in the northeast, will follow their lead. It is imperative your voice is heard.
THE PROPOSALS
BULLETS & BALLS
.40 caliber AND 400 foot-pounds minimum
ARROWS
18" minimum arrow length
300 FPS minimum speed
Airguns/Airbows will be allowed during muzzleloader and urban deer seasons (urban is currently shotgun, muzzleloader & archery only)
View the full language here (they start on page 1074):
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/MDR/4319.PDF
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BACKGROUND:
I've been meeting with MD DNR officials since the spring, initially about the airbow. They intended to add airbows to the crossbow season before realizing in 2016 crossbow would be rolled into the general archery season. Wanting to avoide dealing with grassroots bowhunting groups, MD DNR opted to allow airbows into the seasons mentioned above and at the same time, legalize airguns for big game.
The first public comment period was in August. Crosman submitted a letter of support recommending a .35 caliber / 175 fpe minimum for airguns. This is in line with other states that allow airguns for big game with the exception of Missouri, which went the route Maryland is going by attempting to equate airguns with muzzleloaders.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Express your support for allowing airguns and airbows to be allowed in Maryland for large game and politely request airgun minimums to be changed to realistically reflect their capability and request airbows be allowed during archery.
Feel free to use or alter this suggested language:
Dear Mr. Jayne and Secretary of Natural Resources,
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of airguns and airbows and proposing their legal use for hunting whitetail deer and bear in the state of Maryland. As an airgun enthusiast with many years of experience in their use and application, I don’t believe the requirements of a minimum .40 caliber and 400 foot-pounds of energy are realistic. My experience leads me to recommend a minimum .357 caliber and 200 foot-pounds because airguns have more in common with archery in regard to effective range yet the proposed regulations appear to equate them with muzzleloaders. Air rifles are low range weapons with an effective range on whitetail deer generally well within 75 yards. Common muzzleloaders are accurate out to 150 yards and as far as 300 as with the Remington Model 700®.
Airbows, despite their pneumatic powerplant, have more in common with archery tackle and enable lifelong bowhunters to continue the sport well beyond their ability to draw a compound, recurve or crossbow. Just as bowhunters balked at compound bow technology when recurves were popular, and later had the same reaction when crossbows gained wide appeal, the fact remains it is the same projectile and broadhead being used in airbows as with any other archery product. Therefore I respectfully request airbows be a legal alternative to crossbows for all seasons in which crossbows are eligible.
Send your comment to Peter Jayne, Associate Director, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 68, Wye Mills, MD 21679, or call 410-827-8612, or email to [email protected] or fax to 401-827-5186. Deadline to comment is October 17.
THE PROPOSALS
BULLETS & BALLS
.40 caliber AND 400 foot-pounds minimum
ARROWS
18" minimum arrow length
300 FPS minimum speed
Airguns/Airbows will be allowed during muzzleloader and urban deer seasons (urban is currently shotgun, muzzleloader & archery only)
View the full language here (they start on page 1074):
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/MDR/4319.PDF
-------------------------
BACKGROUND:
I've been meeting with MD DNR officials since the spring, initially about the airbow. They intended to add airbows to the crossbow season before realizing in 2016 crossbow would be rolled into the general archery season. Wanting to avoide dealing with grassroots bowhunting groups, MD DNR opted to allow airbows into the seasons mentioned above and at the same time, legalize airguns for big game.
The first public comment period was in August. Crosman submitted a letter of support recommending a .35 caliber / 175 fpe minimum for airguns. This is in line with other states that allow airguns for big game with the exception of Missouri, which went the route Maryland is going by attempting to equate airguns with muzzleloaders.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Express your support for allowing airguns and airbows to be allowed in Maryland for large game and politely request airgun minimums to be changed to realistically reflect their capability and request airbows be allowed during archery.
Feel free to use or alter this suggested language:
Dear Mr. Jayne and Secretary of Natural Resources,
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of airguns and airbows and proposing their legal use for hunting whitetail deer and bear in the state of Maryland. As an airgun enthusiast with many years of experience in their use and application, I don’t believe the requirements of a minimum .40 caliber and 400 foot-pounds of energy are realistic. My experience leads me to recommend a minimum .357 caliber and 200 foot-pounds because airguns have more in common with archery in regard to effective range yet the proposed regulations appear to equate them with muzzleloaders. Air rifles are low range weapons with an effective range on whitetail deer generally well within 75 yards. Common muzzleloaders are accurate out to 150 yards and as far as 300 as with the Remington Model 700®.
Airbows, despite their pneumatic powerplant, have more in common with archery tackle and enable lifelong bowhunters to continue the sport well beyond their ability to draw a compound, recurve or crossbow. Just as bowhunters balked at compound bow technology when recurves were popular, and later had the same reaction when crossbows gained wide appeal, the fact remains it is the same projectile and broadhead being used in airbows as with any other archery product. Therefore I respectfully request airbows be a legal alternative to crossbows for all seasons in which crossbows are eligible.
Send your comment to Peter Jayne, Associate Director, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 68, Wye Mills, MD 21679, or call 410-827-8612, or email to [email protected] or fax to 401-827-5186. Deadline to comment is October 17.
