The Official Maryland Hunting Guide can be viewed and downloaded at: www.eregulations.com/maryland/hunting
Maryland NEW Airgun Hunting Laws for 2017–2018
- Thread starter AGFAN
- Start date
Awesome. That is great for you in Maryland! The only thing that makes my LEGAL mind wonder is the use of the words "airguns that shoot bullets" Air guns don't normally shoot bullets but they do shoot pellets. I wonder why the different states DEC offices always make the wording difficult? There is always a catch or something that can be interpreted by someone differently. I wish they would just say projectile or pellet/bullet. I wish NY would do the same for big game.
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The word pellet is a term we airgunners use to refer to the projectiles we fire from our airguns. Pet rabbit owners use the same term to describe the food they feed animals that we like to hunt. You should rely on your own understanding of the hunting laws. As I understand it a metal airgun pellet is a bullet.
The Regulation says that an air gun is defined as any gun that propels a projectile by means of non-ignited compressed air or other gas. Projectiles include bullets, arrows or bolts.
Cambrige Dictonary defines a projectile as an object that is thrown or fired, especially from a weapon and defines the word bullet as a small metal object that is fired from a gun. The terms projectile and bullet are objective. They leave no room for personal interpretation of the law. The word pellet on the other hand is defined by Cambridge as a small hard ball-shaped or tube-shaped piece of any substance. The term refers to a shape and is subjective allowing for personal interpretation.
The Regulation says that an air gun is defined as any gun that propels a projectile by means of non-ignited compressed air or other gas. Projectiles include bullets, arrows or bolts.
Cambrige Dictonary defines a projectile as an object that is thrown or fired, especially from a weapon and defines the word bullet as a small metal object that is fired from a gun. The terms projectile and bullet are objective. They leave no room for personal interpretation of the law. The word pellet on the other hand is defined by Cambridge as a small hard ball-shaped or tube-shaped piece of any substance. The term refers to a shape and is subjective allowing for personal interpretation.
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The one thing I would worry about is the min. of 400 foot pounds for hunting deer, the Texan .357 that Steve just reviewed only had 300 at high power. you would need a 200 gr. bullet at 950 fps to reach 400 fpe or nosler ballistic tip 145 gr at 1120 fps. I'm not saying it can't be done but they cut down the choices. but on a good note you can hunt turkey and medium size game without restriction.
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Airguns for most game is awesome. The arrow firing airguns are also a really great option now for most game. I guess Crosman Corporation may have to update their Airbow hunting information for hunting in Maryland. This is great news for owners of the Pioneer Airbow or other arrow firing airguns. The .45 cal Airforce Texan will exceed the .40 cal 400 fpe requirement based on a Twang and Bang youtube review at https://youtu.be/_oadCObRbuE . The Umarex Hammer is rumored to produce 700 fpe if and when it’s released. Other options for Deer and Bear hunting might be a Quackenbush or a Western Big Bore from Airguns of Arizona.
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Lucky me to reside in Maryland. Back in Sept. we moved to Western Maryland and own 20 acres at the base of Warrior Mountain WMA. Deer are thick and just last week my neighbor to the south saw a bear on his property. Can't wait for hunting season to start, the Texan is sighted in and the FX 500 is at the ready. Wish you all were here to enjoy this new pleasure, wish me luck.
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Welcome to Maryland. It’s nice to live in a state that recognizes the value of airguns as hunting devices. Good luck and hope to hear more about your hunting trips with the Texan. Wish I had 20 acres to hunt on. Did I mention Maryland's Recreational Use Statute? For those interested in Maryland's Recreational Use Statute more information can be found at:
http://agrisk.umd.edu/blog/what-exactly-is-a-recreational-use-statute
http://agrisk.umd.edu/blog/what-exactly-is-a-recreational-use-statute
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Would not want to see someone get hurt on my land but with the Maryland Recreational Use Statute in place it gives one peace of mind. Good to know this info, thanks a bunch.
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Here are two good youtube videos of deer hunting with airguns that would be legal in Maryland.
Pioneer Airbow https://youtu.be/rq_QUUmErm4
Airforce Texan https://youtu.be/0i0LT69NL1Y
Pioneer Airbow https://youtu.be/rq_QUUmErm4
Airforce Texan https://youtu.be/0i0LT69NL1Y
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I would love to see Ohio do this. I don't care about dear so much as turkey and fur bearers.
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I just looked at your brochure, then looked at the actual regulations in the administrative code. Unfortunately, they contradict.
Your brochure is specifying that all air gun usuage requires "bullets, arrows or bolts" for all allowable animals.
However, the actual regulations are specifying that only deer have the "bullet or arrow" requirement, and the regulation also says an airgun may shoot a "ball".
All other animals seem to allow the use of pellets.
I'll post links later this evening.
Understand that most states have brochures for public consumption that are only a summary of the rules, not the rules themselves. The actual rules are found either in statute or adminstrative code. Most hunters never know the difference. It took years for Florida to correct erronous brochures that misttated what airguns could and couldn't be used for. Seems like whoever wrote the Maryland brochure didn't understand the regulations and they erronously repeated the "bullet" requirement for all animals when it should only apply to deer.
Your brochure is specifying that all air gun usuage requires "bullets, arrows or bolts" for all allowable animals.
However, the actual regulations are specifying that only deer have the "bullet or arrow" requirement, and the regulation also says an airgun may shoot a "ball".
All other animals seem to allow the use of pellets.
I'll post links later this evening.
Understand that most states have brochures for public consumption that are only a summary of the rules, not the rules themselves. The actual rules are found either in statute or adminstrative code. Most hunters never know the difference. It took years for Florida to correct erronous brochures that misttated what airguns could and couldn't be used for. Seems like whoever wrote the Maryland brochure didn't understand the regulations and they erronously repeated the "bullet" requirement for all animals when it should only apply to deer.
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Thats what I was saying earlier in my post. Then you go in the woods and a specific ranger comes along and interprets the law to his understanding. You can lose your gun and license and pay a fine or be arrested. Maybe in the long run you will win but the hassle and money spent defending yourself could ruin you. Thanks for the info Bullfrog.
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The Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland is a publication of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service. The publication is intended as a guide only. Reference information is provided in the guide for those who wish to review the laws and regulations associated with the information contained. If you don't understand the information ask the Maryland DNR or contact an attorney.
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Here's some links to look at:
1) First, the online Administrative Code for Maryland. I used this database as a starting point. I searched for "Air Gun."
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/COMAR/ComarHome.html
2) Deer and Bear:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.03.04.05.htm
Here's what is says about deer/bear:.05 Devices for Hunting Deer and Black Bear.
A. Only the weapons described in §§B and C of this regulation may be used to hunt deer and black bear. All other weapon types are prohibited for hunting deer or black bear....
C. Firearms.....
(5) An air gun that:(a) Propels one .40 caliber or greater bullet or ball at a single discharge which generates at least 400 foot-pounds of muzzle energy; or(b) Propels an arrow at least 18” in length with a minimum speed of 300 feet per second at release, uses an arrow with a sharpened broadhead with metal points and a minimum width of 7/8 inch, and has a working safety if the device is fired by a trigger.
So the way I take that, the air gun must 1) generate at least 400fpe, 2) must be .40 or greater, and 3) must shoot a bullet or a ball. As where bullets are balls are named, and pellets are not, a pellet wouldn't be legal for a deer even if its .40 and 400fpe.
3) Turkey:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.03.04.06.htm
06 Wild Turkey Hunting....
C. During the spring and winter turkey seasons a person may only hunt turkeys with an air gun propelling an arrow, a bow, or shotgun with shotgun shells loaded with shot size number 4 or smaller.
D. During the fall turkey season a person may only hunt turkeys with a rifle, handgun, bow, air gun, or shotgun with shotgun shells loaded with:(1) Shot size number 4 or smaller; or(2) A solid single projectile, such as a pumpkin ball, sabot, or slug.
So in the Spring, only an air bow may be used. In the Fall, any airgun may be used so long as it shoots a solid projectile. So a pellet would suffice.
4) Furbearers.
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.03.06.05.htm
I didn't reproduce the text, but the regulations present no caliber or projectile restrictions. They just state that air guns are legal for furbearers.
Maryland hunters will need to check with their local LEOs to determine how the rules will be implemented. I am posting this info more to point out that often official state brochures are inaccurate relating to air guns. Look how different the brochure reads from the posted regulations. States often farm these brochures out to third parties or are compiled by state employees who may themselves not have an accurate grasp of the regulations. When you have a conversation with your local LEO, be armed with the actual correct regulations. He or she may not be aware of them. Often the LEOs are just consulting a field guide or the same citizens brochure. Respectfully pointing out mistakes in the brochures to the right people make changes happen (but don't have that conversation while he's contemplating writing you up, instead, have that conversation in advance before you go hunting. Ask permission, not forgiveness).
I am a criminal prosecutor in Florida and I regularly have to interpret our State hunting regulations in prosecutions against alleged hunting violations. I cannot speak for Maryland. I have no authority there. But I firmly believe that good conversations I've had with the right people have changed Florida's airgun regulations for the better, as well as changed the official brochures to accurately reflect what has been legal under the regulations for years. Someone is going to need to respectfully point out to Maryland that the brochure and the regulations aren't matching.
1) First, the online Administrative Code for Maryland. I used this database as a starting point. I searched for "Air Gun."
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/COMAR/ComarHome.html
2) Deer and Bear:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.03.04.05.htm
Here's what is says about deer/bear:.05 Devices for Hunting Deer and Black Bear.
A. Only the weapons described in §§B and C of this regulation may be used to hunt deer and black bear. All other weapon types are prohibited for hunting deer or black bear....
C. Firearms.....
(5) An air gun that:(a) Propels one .40 caliber or greater bullet or ball at a single discharge which generates at least 400 foot-pounds of muzzle energy; or(b) Propels an arrow at least 18” in length with a minimum speed of 300 feet per second at release, uses an arrow with a sharpened broadhead with metal points and a minimum width of 7/8 inch, and has a working safety if the device is fired by a trigger.
So the way I take that, the air gun must 1) generate at least 400fpe, 2) must be .40 or greater, and 3) must shoot a bullet or a ball. As where bullets are balls are named, and pellets are not, a pellet wouldn't be legal for a deer even if its .40 and 400fpe.
3) Turkey:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.03.04.06.htm
06 Wild Turkey Hunting....
C. During the spring and winter turkey seasons a person may only hunt turkeys with an air gun propelling an arrow, a bow, or shotgun with shotgun shells loaded with shot size number 4 or smaller.
D. During the fall turkey season a person may only hunt turkeys with a rifle, handgun, bow, air gun, or shotgun with shotgun shells loaded with:(1) Shot size number 4 or smaller; or(2) A solid single projectile, such as a pumpkin ball, sabot, or slug.
So in the Spring, only an air bow may be used. In the Fall, any airgun may be used so long as it shoots a solid projectile. So a pellet would suffice.
4) Furbearers.
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.03.06.05.htm
I didn't reproduce the text, but the regulations present no caliber or projectile restrictions. They just state that air guns are legal for furbearers.
Maryland hunters will need to check with their local LEOs to determine how the rules will be implemented. I am posting this info more to point out that often official state brochures are inaccurate relating to air guns. Look how different the brochure reads from the posted regulations. States often farm these brochures out to third parties or are compiled by state employees who may themselves not have an accurate grasp of the regulations. When you have a conversation with your local LEO, be armed with the actual correct regulations. He or she may not be aware of them. Often the LEOs are just consulting a field guide or the same citizens brochure. Respectfully pointing out mistakes in the brochures to the right people make changes happen (but don't have that conversation while he's contemplating writing you up, instead, have that conversation in advance before you go hunting. Ask permission, not forgiveness).
I am a criminal prosecutor in Florida and I regularly have to interpret our State hunting regulations in prosecutions against alleged hunting violations. I cannot speak for Maryland. I have no authority there. But I firmly believe that good conversations I've had with the right people have changed Florida's airgun regulations for the better, as well as changed the official brochures to accurately reflect what has been legal under the regulations for years. Someone is going to need to respectfully point out to Maryland that the brochure and the regulations aren't matching.
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Wouldn't it be nice if the hunting laws were a bit more standardized? Without the fed involvement obviously!!
Here in New Mexico, the largest animal you can (currently) hunt with an airgun is the Himalayan Tahr (≈150 pounds). No caliber or FPE is specified, which is an oversight in my opinion. Same goes for Mountain Lion. In the latter case, I don't think I would want a pissed-off Mountain Lion deciding I was his lunch! All said and done, word has it the F&G is going to allow airguns to harvest deer and antelope next season. I suspect they'll set some sort of FPE and/or caliber requirement. We shall see.
Here in New Mexico, the largest animal you can (currently) hunt with an airgun is the Himalayan Tahr (≈150 pounds). No caliber or FPE is specified, which is an oversight in my opinion. Same goes for Mountain Lion. In the latter case, I don't think I would want a pissed-off Mountain Lion deciding I was his lunch! All said and done, word has it the F&G is going to allow airguns to harvest deer and antelope next season. I suspect they'll set some sort of FPE and/or caliber requirement. We shall see.
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The fall turkey season only applies to the three western most counties of the state, so, unfortunately, no hunting turkeys elsewhere with an air gun using pellets.
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I didn't see anything in the MD hunting guide that says you can't use LDC or silencers, is this true?
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Take a look at the Ohio regs on hunting equipment. The only game not allowed to be hunted with airgun are Turkey, Foul, and deer. Swine, coyote, small game/ furbearers are all able to be hunted with airgun.
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/hunting-trapping-and-shooting-sports/hunting-trapping-regulations/allowable-hunting-equipment
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