New York State Hunting laws, airguns and very small game?

[BumbleShot]

Well, as LongislandHunter knows, I got the bug...

I was planning on taking the manditory hunting course early Spetember, but due to family obligations, I can't make those classes now.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6094.html

Now I am not sure what the small game issues are in NY.  I know the DEC wants people fielding bows and firearms to take a class.  I don't blame them!  

Are laws different for very small game with an airgun?

At first blush, I was going to take the course so that I could take tall rabbits (deer) with a muzzleloader or a slug loaded shotgun.  Do the DEC have rules regarding very small game?  I could imagine the DEC might include airguns with trapping, but I'm not sure and don't want to get in trouble by being ignorant!

The next course near me I can attend is in October.  

Is it possible to take a course one-on-one from someone on this forum or someone here knows?  Not only this, but I am pretty sure the state run course only covers the very very safety basics.  

I have tried my best to scour the 'net for more info, but sadly, hunting is even more a rare sport these days than ever.  Personally, I blame iPods and video games for the lack of hunters.  Shoot, for the price of a Wii, I could get an R9 and 4 tins of Predator pellets and eat well at the same time!

[longislandhunter]

Neil,,,, that October class will work just fine for you,,,,,,,, the Long Island small game season doesn't open until November 1st   :)

See,,,, and you thought you were gonna miss it.....     :)


BTW.......  you're not gonna find much in the NYS Environmental Conservation Law regarding airguns and hunting small game with them,, it just isn't there.   My friend, who is the DEC  Lieutenant in charge of the Eastern Suffolk zone explained to me that hunting small game with air rifles is legal basically by "ommission" in that air rifles are not specifically mentioned as legal small game hunting tools BUT they are not listed as being prohibited either .   Hence,,,,, they are legal basically by "ommission" from the law.  

Considering that this is just "how it is" with respect to the DEC hunting laws don't go crazy over researching it,,,,  it's best to just take it and run with it....  it's legal so when the season opens lets go hunting  :)  

Hope this helps you out......  

Jeff

[JOHNNY QUEST]

in texas if it don't have a trigger its ileagle. lol

 If it crawls, shoot it!!!

[gunsup0331]

I love Texans, lol

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

VERY GOOD point Jeff. I have scoured the latest DNR regs. in S.C.,, have even spoken with a few of my "Old Friends" still on the job. Airguns just dont seam to be "mainstream" enough to be included. That is good for us though!! I have been small game hunting with airguns for MANY years,, it has never been a problem for me, even with a limit of Squirrels,& 2 Rabbits when DNR checked me & my boat at the local ramp!! Matter of fact,, both Officers were VERY impressed with my Diana 54!!  My Doe tags will be good Sept. 15,, the Dragon Slayer WILL STRIKE!! LOL!! Tim.

A place like New York doesn't have a lot more classes? But then, classes are something I might have taken but it was 50 years ago or so and I don't remember. Got most of my rifle training from relatives and gunsmiths we hunted with. At 10 had a nice over and under .410/22 combination I used to shoot water moccasins witih.