What you legally may hunt

[raterminator]

in your state with airgun and what are the requirements?

[gunsup0331]

LOL Im in Calif. and im not really sure....Not supposed to take any animals within city limits, must have a hunting permit to take pest or game animals, and all game animals have a specific season. I think.   I believe i can hunt Doves, Cottontails, Gamble Quail and ground squirrels for game; rats, pigeons and coyotes for pest, although i wouldnt try my luck against a coyote with the Quest.

[PBJ]

In California, most but not all cities/towns have no hunting/shooting ordinances. There are also special county laws and then the layers of State Fish & Game and Federal rules. In San Beranrdino County we have a "no projectile rule" which limits us to shotguns only in the eastern half of the county and anywhere the California Condor lives we have to use lead free ammunition including air guns. Most pests are year round with a hunting liscense (this includes coyotes and jack rabbits) but all other game has a season. Quail are legal to hunt with an air rifle but not dove as some of them are migratory (they are a Federaly contoled hunt). We can only hunt a few pest birds, really just starlings, and black birds/ravens/crows are a whole other issue, you need to get a special permit for the most part based on damage to property. That being said, it could be worse and will be if we don't stop all the foolish legilation that comes up every year. If you live in California and need more info, send me a note!

[only1harry]

raterminator:  You 're in luck.  I see you live in NY and so do I and a couple of other regulars here.  

NY State DEC law states that you can legally hunt the following all year long (requires a hunting license):  
1. Groundhogs
2. Porcupines
3. Red Squirrel  (never seen one..only grey's)
4. European Starling  (got one today)
5. Rock dove

That's it!  This is the list of unprotected animals & brids in NY and there is no limit on those.  I believe feral pigeons are fair game too and any animal that is causing damage to property, crops or livestock (like fox, or pigeons crapping all over your car or house, etc.) is also fair game but you 'd probably have to prove it, if caught taking a protected animal out of season.  They don't make mention of a specific way to hunt them but says any means is ok, as long as it's legal, so using airguns on those I listed is legal, IF shooting airguns is legal in your town.  It may not be so check the local laws or with your local police dept.  Some towns consider airguns as "firearms" and have allow against discharging a firearm which will include airguns.  The NYS DEC considers airguns a firearm during hunting season, so they are perfectly legal to hunt small game with (except Turkey!).  You cannot hunt big game with an airgun. There are restrictions and certain caliber has to be used, etc.  

Again to shoot anything, ie: protected or unprotected animal, on or off season, you MUST have a current hunting license in NY state.  They make millions $ from the license revenues.  Hunting licenses expire every year usually at the end of September so a new one must be purchased.  

The hunting season usually starts on Oct. 1 and ends Feb. 28.  This is when you can take protected game with an airgun such as rabbit, squirrel, crow, racoon, fox, etc. (with a hunting license).  If you don't have a license, sign up to take the Hunter Safety course.  Classes should begin at the end of August and run through September.  It's a 10hr course I believe and classes fill up quickly.  Go to your Town Clerk's office and inquire about the safety courses offered, who offers them, and how to get in contact with them (to send $ etc. and sign up).  Nothing 's for free.  Once you pass the course you can then take your certificate to the Town Clerk's office and purchase a hunting license.  Small game license is $16.  After that, all you need is the previous year's license to get a new one, or if you lose it, they 'll have you in the computer system that you purchased one the year before.  With my luck you have the ability to purchase a hunting license but I type fast so it's ok..
Be careful though, even frogs are protected in NY.  Read the laws.  Here's a list to the NYS DEC web site:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37136.html
PS.
You can take coyote with an airgun as long as it's .22cal per DEC law. Again, they don't state the word "airgun" throughout their web site almost at all, except at the beginning of the small-game web page, where they indicate that an airgun is a firearm as far as the DEC is concerned.  So any caliber requirements also apply to airguns.  So I believe I may have contradicted myself earlier.  If you have a big-bore airgun like 9mm, 45 or 50cal PCP rifle you may be allowed to take deer and other big game, although if you call the DEC officer or game warden and ask, they will be like "big-bore what? an airgun? are you crazy?" :-)  Most people don't know or realize that there are very powerful 300+ ft-lb Pre-charged pneumatic airguns out there that can take a deer at 40-50yds as easily as a high powered rifle at 200yds.

[raterminator]

No, I’m in NY, but it doesn’t matter. Thanks for a great and quite complete input. I have friends in California, who will appreciate that info. I thought this could be interesting topic for everybody, but it looks like our other friends are mostly on collecting/addiction level, or don’t like hunting.

[raterminator]

Wow!!! That is a very good and helpful info, Harry. Thank you very much. I failed to find any info in NY DEC site, but you did. I’ll look at it again. I always get new Sportsmen license by the end of the each year, though haven’t got a chance to use it simply because I always enjoyed company and process itself more than actual game taking. So far, busy city life makes it almost impossible to gather a couple of friends together to relax a little. I asked Jeff (longislandhunter) and he offered his company!!! Even if we don’t hunt, I’m already enjoying the anticipation of that fact. Sometimes one needs so little to enjoy his life:).
Where are you?
Garen

[only1harry]

Hey Garen:

I 'm downstate NY, about 55mi. north of the GWB.  Grew up in Rockland county and even worked in Manhattan for Morgan Stanley.  I bought a house in Orange county in the '90's since I couldn't afford Rockland and its taxes.  Much more space up here and plentiful game  :)  

You are lucky to be able to get together with Jeff.  He knows all the game hotspots in LI and uses some secret trick that makes all the farmers in his area let him hunt on their land!!  :-)  If you find out how he does it, please let the rest of us know!  hehehe

[raterminator]

Now, don’t start that, Harry. You’ll make him change his mind. Don’t listen to him Jeff. Tricks? Most probably you need to look trustworthy and have good communication skills.
Yep, I’m sure you’ve got great places up there. For a couple of years I drove my kids to camp in Oneonta and all the way out of the city I felt so proud for being part of all it….and then my inner, nasty voice reminded me –“Hey, wake up, you missed your stop, it’s not yours”

[longislandhunter]

No worries Garen,,,,,, me, you and Joe Cuz are going small game hunting this year  :)  

I've been checking out some new spots  that look like they have potential,,,,,  I have no doubt we're gonna bag some bunnies and tree rats with ease.......

Good info you posted there Harry.....   2 of my friends (and neighbors) here just happen to be the local DEC Officers for the area,,, matter of fact both of em are into airguns and hunt with them on occassion, and we've had many discussions about how airguns and airgun hunting are basically not specifically addressed  in the NYS   E.C.L. laws.  It seems to be the local laws of each community, if they have such laws, that impose restrictions on airgun uses.     As always though, if an airgunner is unsure what they can and cannot do with respect to using airguns where they live or hunt then they should of course first check with the local authorities and/or the DEC Police for guidance.  

Oh yeah,,,,, forgot to add,,,,,,,   it was really easy to get a couple of new farmers to give me permission to hunt on their land,,,,, as soon as I told em that Joe was gonna pay them they smiled and said "OK"   :)

just kiddin of course Joe   :)

Jeff

[raterminator]

Oh, he's serious!!! I better start sight-in my guns...

[VINNY]

I was reading the Wa. State hunting regs last week, and you can only hunt w/ a firearm, black powder, or bow.No airguns![Did I ever mention that I dont like it here?]

[only1harry]

Wow that really sucks.  That's probably because you guys have lots of dangerous big game in the woods when out hunting.  Brown bears (grizzlies maybe?), black bear, mountain lions, etc.  Are there any laws specific to taking "pests" on your property?

[Brod_Man]

Lets see in ohio, there is a lot of gray areas. I emailed the ODNR, and asked a few questions. Anything considered a pest(starlings, sparrows etc.), small game, and predator, and hogs. Deer and turkeys are a no-no. So pretty much everything except deer and turkeys.

[RatPatrol]

Nothing with an air rifle in PA :(

[VINNY]

You can take pests if their destroying you r property, but I dont think you can use an airgun, except maybe for birds.Also, if your out hunting w/ a bow, you can not carry a side arm.I dont remember, but I think your only allowed to have the weapon that your hunting with.Wa sucks.