Deer hunting with an air rifle?

[Buck119]

It's certainly not a firearm.

But, it's also not an approved weapon for deer hunting.

In the eyes of the law, it would be like you hunted deer with a baseball bat,
or dug a pit trap for the animal.

Hunting it is only legal when you use the approved weapons,
and I don't think Georgia has changed its rules to allow for deer hunting with airguns.

I was surprised but from the 2020-2021 Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 12 & 14:

DEER & BEAR
• Modern Rifles and Handguns: Centerfire only, .22-cal. or larger with
expanding bullets. There is no restriction on magazine capacity for rifles.
• Shotguns: 20-gauge or larger loaded with slugs or buckshot.
• Muzzleloaders: .44-cal. or larger, or muzzleloading
shotguns 20 gauge or larger. Scopes
are legal.
• Air Guns: Any air rifle of at least .30 caliber
or air bow utilizing unignited compressed
gas or air is legal during primitive weapons
and firearms seasons.


That is actually the reason why started reading this thread.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

Wow, I didn't know they'd changed the hunting regs that way.
I know that they had been lobbied by air gun enthusiasts to make such a change, but I thought the DNR was resisting it.
OK, well, that's good to know.
I'm surprise there's no velocity requirement or kinetic energy requirement a 30 caliber lead ball doesn't weigh much and if some air rifle only shoots it at let's say 600 ft./s, that would be a pretty wimpy deer hunting weapon.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

The change in the law from the legislature, with a bill called Senate Bill 72, passed in April 2019 and signed by governor Kemp in May 2019,
It made several changes to the hunting regulations in Georgia including approving airgun use.

https://www.nraila.org/articles/201...p-signs-bill-to-improve-hunting-opportunities

 

[UptaCamp]

The change in the law from the legislature, with a bill called Senate Bill 72, passed in April 2019 and signed by governor Kemp in May 2019,
It made several changes to the hunting regulations in Georgia including approving airgun use.

https://www.nraila.org/articles/201...p-signs-bill-to-improve-hunting-opportunities

Yep, hence why I was asking about it. I'm not into illegal hunting methods.

 

[outlaw1961]

The history of air guns is pretty interesting. A member of Lewis and Clark expedition carried one and they go back farther than that

 

[Gingerbeard Man]

Since you're on the topic of Airguns, check out this channel for tree rat and other pest control.
https://www.youtube.com/c/EDgunLeshiy

 

[sniper22]

@lilgreg46 knows a great amount when it comes to these. Maybe he will see this

 

[THREEJAYS]

A friend of mine has an airbow. He said it’s unbelievable and 40-50 yard accurate shots are nothing for it

 

[Buck119]

from the 2020-2021 Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 12 & 14:
DEER & BEAR

• Air Guns: Any air rifle of at least .30 caliber
or air bow utilizing unignited compressed
gas or air is legal during primitive weapons
and firearms seasons.


That is actually the reason why started reading this thread.

By the way, what does "unignited compressed gas or air" mean?
What type of air rifles can be used for hunting in Georgia? Are break barrel rifles OK?

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