Air Gun For Deer

So the state has approved air guns for deer this fall, only in the general season as well as air bows. Who's in?

Probably the same people that say a 223 is not big enough for hunting Deer.

I'm not. I don't think there is any advantage in an airgun than a rifle. Actually, the other way around. I'll stick to my trusty 7mm08

I still get a kick out of using my .54 caliber traditional cap lock Hawken muzzle loader.
You gotta get close under 100 yards, with one shot, and that big chunk o lead knocks the snot out of them old school style, and you don't know if you hit them until the smoke clears.

I wonder how this would effect archery only leases?

It will be up to the landowner or his designee.

Archery only will still be archery only for deer. Why would they change?? An airbow is not an archery device so will not be legal in archery. It is powered by air, not a bow string.

Why in the world would I want to hunt deer with an air gun?

I’m ready. It’s all about shot placement.

I don't get it either. I have yet to hear a compelling reason to go out & buy all the necessary crap.

I can't believe that there are that many air rifle owners wanting to shoot deer that TP&WD would bother with them. Seems like there would be other important, pressing issues to deal with.

Be careful with that thing, you'll shoot your eye out.

Why not? If big bore air guns will recruit a few more hunters I'm all for it. They are effective.

I haven't the slightest clue on "all" the laws surrounding public land and across the US but I think it was design to skirt some of the "centerfire" laws and some were hoping it would be accepted as archery.

I always viewed it as liberals trying to get firearms outlawed. That way they can say you can use an air gun instead. First airguns need to be legal.

Poison blow darts will be next....works for the “Indians” in South America.....

Can you use AirGuns/AirBows within Archery Only Counties like Collin and Rockwall? If so I can see the need there...

Not so fast. Thank goodness someone at TPWD has some sense.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20180413a

Florida allowed air guns in February.
https://www.thegunwriter.com/23894/florida-fwc-approves-big-bore-air-guns-turkey-deer-hunting/

9th state out of 50. Hopefully, Texas won't become #10.

In some states urban deer hunting has become a must to control the deer populations.
Airguns and bows are the only thing allowed.
In Texas there are a few urban settings where an air gun could be used. Although they are not real quiet they are a lot quieter than a centerfire rifle. So they make sense for that use.

Airguns, airbows, and other “gadget” weapons for big game hunting don’t recruit a single new hunter to the sport. Big game air rifles/bows are “specialty” weapons folks tinker with after they have been hunting big game awhile.

Nobody says “Oh I was not interested in big game hunting at all - but now that I can hunt deer with my airgun I believe I’ll take up the sport.”

I believe that you are correct in your assessment.

These air guns are EXPENSIVE, people with more money than sense like expensive toys, and the bragging rights that come with the toys. Like them or not, money will decide when the air guns become legal in Texas. I bet it is soon, if not this year, it will be next year. In my opinion the hearing in Amarillo will packed be with high dollar people, they will speak, and they will be heard.

I believe the same can be said for crossbows also. (OK, I’ll concede possibly 1-2% of crossbow users are first time hunters.) Mostly just rifle hunters wanting to extend their season but not wanting to commit the time to learn to shoot a bow.

Or convicted felons.

Hopefully it will be approved, the more legal means of take the better. Doesn't matter if it brings in new hunters to me, but if it does great.

Better hope that they are not trying to prove you dont need your firearms. Watchem

Could say that now about crossbows, archery, muzzleloaders etc. Deer are not hard to kill.

Ive been a tinkerer for about 15 years. For me, it is being able to shoot a 80gr bullet at just under sub-sonic speeds with a shrouded weapon without having to get a permit or spending the money on a silencer to hog hunt. It's also cheaper considering the problems and cost of hand loading and on the occasional ammo shortages that occur.

I guess there are locations where a less noisy option will be a benefit. I do worry about the use of caliber as the only criteria. It really is more about bullet weight and FPE than just caliber. I will say, it is easier to generate higher energy with a larger diameter projectile for a given PSI, but stock .30 caliber airguns have no business being used on anything bigger than a raccoon.

For me, I want to hunt Turkeys with my .257 cal Modified AirForce Condor. As the rule is proposed I will not be able to legally take a Turkey even though my gun shoots a 80gr bullet at 1026 fps and generates 150fpe at 100 yards down range. Anyway, this is a step in the right direction.

The OP's initial statement is a little deceptive, they did not approve air guns for big game this year, they tabled it and will decide next year. I wonder can a felon own a big bore air rifle like they can a muzzle loader???

I am a gunsmith, we associate with the people at Air Guns of Arizona, he has gone all over hunting with air rifles. It is his thing and it promotes the shop, he has shot some big animals in Africa.
It is not my thing and I don't think it is for the entry level hunter but an air rifle does have a place in the hunting world under the right conditions. The performance is very similar to a subsonic cartridge rifle with heavy for caliber bullets at about 1000 fps. So close with a well practiced hand it will do the job.
As stated above the big bores can be very expensive. A very nice center fire rifle could be had for the same money.

Mark

Let me set out a situation that may call for an air gun or air bow.. I have a parcel of land aprox. 30 acres. It is next to a country club subdivision and is lake front property. It has both hogs and deer on it. The hogs are being hogs and are a bit of a problem. My other neighbors are 1 to 5 acre waterfront homes. I know by law I could shoot on this place, but my neighbors probably think I can't and we would have issues... I like to eat wild game and thought I would maybe take a deer or hog as opportunity presents.. Wouldn't this be a solution? I wonder which has more kill power the airgun or the air bow? I sure would hate to have to track an animal on to the golf course or a neighbors yard.

Subdivide it and sell! Then buy a bigger place that you won't need an air gun on.

^^^^^^^^this

Yep. That’s the biggest reason for the move to air guns