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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: americanpatriot10 on August 31, 2012, 04:28:17 PM

Title: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: americanpatriot10 on August 31, 2012, 04:28:17 PM
Attention if you are a avid air gun shooter and hunter you probably know that you are not allowed to take game with an air gun in Florida. But, on private property, you may use one to take wild hogs, furbearers and non-native animals. BUT a rule change has been purposed to allow squirrel and rabbit to be taken with airguns! So please go to this link   http://myfwc.com/about/rules-regulations/proposed-rule-changes/hunting/ (http://myfwc.com/about/rules-regulations/proposed-rule-changes/hunting/) and comment on how much you support this rule change , i would even call your fwc to put on the pressure to get this rule changed for the 2013 season.   Thank you  :D
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: longislandhunter on August 31, 2012, 04:37:07 PM
Great news for Florida air gun hunters.... lets hope it passes

Jeff
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: gandalfretlaw on August 31, 2012, 04:38:44 PM
I commented. Didn't leave my address though. I'm in California and I thought they might not like that.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: americanpatriot10 on August 31, 2012, 04:54:40 PM
Thanks my friend ,nice to see support from all around!
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: only1harry on August 31, 2012, 05:08:08 PM
Excellent news for Florida airgunners and hunters!  We only had that law passed in NY a couple of years ago, but ours allows the taking of all small game with airguns during the appropriate seasons, with the only caviat that the air gun must get at least 600fps at the muzzle.

Glad to see airgun and hunting laws progress in other states.
Harry
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on August 31, 2012, 06:24:33 PM
I was talking to an FWC officer about my Mrod and the changes to our night hunting rules that happened several months ago and it was actually news to him that we could NOT use airguns for squirrel or rabbit the way the regs were written. It was also news to him that there were air guns powerful enough to kill coyotes and hogs.

In reality people have already been using air guns for small game here for a while. Their prohibition on squirrels and rabbits was more of an unintended consequence than a deliberate policy.

In my comment on the rule I asked the Commission to consider allowing us to hunt turkeys with air guns like California allows. Don't know how they will take it. Who knows, they might like the idea of turkey hunters coming from all over and pouring tourist money in to kill Osceolas with a head shot from an air rifle.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: americanpatriot10 on August 31, 2012, 06:51:13 PM
I just hope we can get our foot in the door lol i think like you said once they realize how powerful and precise they are things will change bid time!!!!
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: gandalfretlaw on August 31, 2012, 06:53:18 PM
I said that Air Gun hunting for birds and small animal up to about raccoon and coyote were popular through most of the nation. I also mentioned that California allowed turkey hunting. I left off that they don't allow goose and many other strange exceptions (gotta work on that). I also said that air gun hunters are some of the responsible and environmentally friendly hunters. I stated that for air gun the hunters strive for a one shot kill generally to the head.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: americanpatriot10 on August 31, 2012, 09:00:46 PM
I plan to send the them a email so i can explain in depth. and thanks for writing that comment!
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on August 31, 2012, 09:08:00 PM
I too in my comment focused on how modern airgun can take game cleanly and ethically. I spoke more to that point than I did anything else.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: americanpatriot10 on August 31, 2012, 09:57:47 PM
Thanks ! the more people who comment eh better i have very high hopes!!!! and great point  :D
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: UnRest on August 31, 2012, 10:54:22 PM
wow best news i read all day eh maybe all year  ;D
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Jake on September 01, 2012, 12:06:51 AM
That's some good news for Floridians, airgun hunting should be legal everywhere IMO.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullit on September 01, 2012, 12:34:32 AM
If it sells more hunting licenses,,,more $$$,,,they'll pass it, I'd hope.    Don't know about Turkeys, those NWTF folks may have something to say.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullit on September 01, 2012, 12:36:26 AM
I said that Air Gun hunting for birds and small animal up to about raccoon and coyote were popular through most of the nation. I also mentioned that California allowed turkey hunting. I left off that they don't allow goose and many other strange exceptions (gotta work on that). I also said that air gun hunters are some of the responsible and environmentally friendly hunters. I stated that for air gun the hunters strive for a one shot kill generally to the head.
Walter, the geese and most migratory birds are under federal protection, so their rules apply.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on September 01, 2012, 01:10:29 AM
If it sells more hunting licenses,,,more $$$,,,they'll pass it, I'd hope.    Don't know about Turkeys, those NWTF folks may have something to say.

It will be controversial but we already allow use of a rifle on private land. The NWTF types hate it but hunting turkeys with rifles has been a part of Florida hunting culture for 100 years. It seems like if we can kill them with a .22 or a .270 then why not an air gun?
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullit on September 01, 2012, 10:39:38 AM
To play devil's advocate for a second.  I know that getting a good headshot is double tough.  They're always moving it.   Body shots would require alot of energy to be effective and responsible (ie 25-30FPE) since Pellets have no shock effect, like a .22LR or .270.   I think it would take minimum caliber and FPE regulations, to make it feasible.
Since rifles are already allowed, and considering the few air rifles that would meet a minimum Caliber/FPE standard reliably,  Would Fish&Game wanna mess with it in the Enforcement Division? I Don't know if they would, even tho it could be done.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: ShakySarge on September 01, 2012, 10:56:43 AM
KY Mike is right on with his statement. I am a Turkey hunter and KNOW how tough it is to get a good shot with a shotgun, muchh less a rifle or bow. With the constant moving you will have very little time for a good head shot. Can it be done? Absolutely, no question that there are some that are experienced aand calm enough to make that shot with an AG. Now on the same note, IF you are using a big bore, you have more options such as the base of the neck or the chest. I prefer the base of the neck with a PB rifle as it causes much less damage to the meat.

I honestly feel that the taking of Turkey should be left to a shotgun IMO of course. I have taken around 30 turkey and trust me gentlemen, if you only wound this bird, it is gone, and your chances of finding it are slim to none in many cases. Especially the osceola in a marsh or even swamp environment. I have taken chest shots at turkeys in flight at less than 30 feet and have had them hit the ground, get up and run, never to be seen again.

Again, Just my opinion.

Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Habanero69er on September 01, 2012, 11:55:34 AM
Wrote to FWC, in favor of changing the law.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on September 01, 2012, 12:43:35 PM
To play devil's advocate for a second.  I know that getting a good headshot is double tough.  They're always moving it.   Body shots would require alot of energy to be effective and responsible (ie 25-30FPE) since Pellets have no shock effect, like a .22LR or .270.   I think it would take minimum caliber and FPE regulations, to make it feasible.
Since rifles are already allowed, and considering the few air rifles that would meet a minimum Caliber/FPE standard reliably,  Would Fish&Game wanna mess with it in the Enforcement Division? I Don't know if they would, even tho it could be done.

It might would be a mess they would rather avoid. The rifle issue is itself controversial enough. On one hand you have native Floridians like myself who traditionally hunt turkey with rifles. On the other hand you have non native transplants and the NWTF trying to change our traditions because it offends their notions of "ethical" turkey hunting. Its a culture clash and its is going to depend on whether the FWC thinks it will draw in money and whether it offends the notions of the nonnative hunters. Based on what I've read it seems like many people are intrigued by California's allowance of air guns. I've never seen a NWTF type disparage it. So who knows.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on September 01, 2012, 01:01:26 PM
KY Mike is right on with his statement. I am a Turkey hunter and KNOW how tough it is to get a good shot with a shotgun, muchh less a rifle or bow. With the constant moving you will have very little time for a good head shot. Can it be done? Absolutely, no question that there are some that are experienced aand calm enough to make that shot with an AG. Now on the same note, IF you are using a big bore, you have more options such as the base of the neck or the chest. I prefer the base of the neck with a PB rifle as it causes much less damage to the meat.

I honestly feel that the taking of Turkey should be left to a shotgun IMO of course. I have taken around 30 turkey and trust me gentlemen, if you only wound this bird, it is gone, and your chances of finding it are slim to none in many cases. Especially the osceola in a marsh or even swamp environment. I have taken chest shots at turkeys in flight at less than 30 feet and have had them hit the ground, get up and run, never to be seen again.

Again, Just my opinion.

I agree with you that if you wound a turkey, you likely won't find him. I have wounded with both shotgun and rifle and they leave no blood trail. What little bit they bleed their feathers soak up.

However, I've also killed enough turkeys with a rifle to know that if you use the right caliber, right bullet, and right shot placement, you will kill them clean every time. A small, fragile, and fragmenting bullet placed at the point where the wing connects to the body will kill them quick. The bullet needs to absolutely explode when it goes in the bird like an AA gun. It will have the effects of breaking their wing so they can't fly and fragging their vitals. Besides my shotgun, my preferred turkey gun is a .22 magnum shooting accutips out to 50 yards. It doesn't give me any unfair range advantage over a shotgun hunter but it lets me lay prone with a bipod. You can get away with murder with a turkey if you are prone. I have used other small calibers in centerfire such as the .204 but I find that the bullets fly too fast and punch through the bird without exploding at close range. Although I have never shot a turkey with a large caliber, most people who do loose them. The bullets punch through the bird without expanding. That's why I wouldn't be concerned with an air gun caliber limit. Really only head shots should be attempted with an air gun. A body shot with a large caliber air rifle would behave more like a large caliber powderburner instead of a small caliber fragmenting bullet. It would just punch through without exploding and not instantly kill the bird. If you connect with a .177 in the head he's just as dead as with a .25. After all, look how small your turkey shot is in a shotgun. 1 little pellet penetrating his brain is all it takes. How much more should a .177 do the trick? You will likely either hit them fatally or miss clean. Turkeys do hold their heads still enough when they are looking at a decoy or you to get a head shot. The traditional way to hunt turkeys with a rifle in Florida is actually to shoot them in the head with a .22LR.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullit on September 01, 2012, 02:05:35 PM
California was/is a unique situation, with flocks in urban developed areas.  Close range stuff for sure.  Shotguns or rifles would not be safe.  That situation was supported to it's passing by the NWTF.  That also DID help inclusion of the .177, where before it was .20 or better.  And yes I am a NWTFr.  Again, it is unique.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: ShakySarge on September 01, 2012, 02:48:14 PM
KY Mike is right on with his statement. I am a Turkey hunter and KNOW how tough it is to get a good shot with a shotgun, muchh less a rifle or bow. With the constant moving you will have very little time for a good head shot. Can it be done? Absolutely, no question that there are some that are experienced aand calm enough to make that shot with an AG. Now on the same note, IF you are using a big bore, you have more options such as the base of the neck or the chest. I prefer the base of the neck with a PB rifle as it causes much less damage to the meat.

I honestly feel that the taking of Turkey should be left to a shotgun IMO of course. I have taken around 30 turkey and trust me gentlemen, if you only wound this bird, it is gone, and your chances of finding it are slim to none in many cases. Especially the osceola in a marsh or even swamp environment. I have taken chest shots at turkeys in flight at less than 30 feet and have had them hit the ground, get up and run, never to be seen again.

Again, Just my opinion.

I agree with you that if you wound a turkey, you likely won't find him. I have wounded with both shotgun and rifle and they leave no blood trail. What little bit they bleed their feathers soak up.

However, I've also killed enough turkeys with a rifle to know that if you use the right caliber, right bullet, and right shot placement, you will kill them clean every time. A small, fragile, and fragmenting bullet placed at the point where the wing connects to the body will kill them quick. The bullet needs to absolutely explode when it goes in the bird like an AA gun. It will have the effects of breaking their wing so they can't fly and fragging their vitals. Besides my shotgun, my preferred turkey gun is a .22 magnum shooting accutips out to 50 yards. It doesn't give me any unfair range advantage over a shotgun hunter but it lets me lay prone with a bipod. You can get away with murder with a turkey if you are prone. I have used other small calibers in centerfire such as the .204 but I find that the bullets fly too fast and punch through the bird without exploding at close range. Although I have never shot a turkey with a large caliber, most people who do loose them. The bullets punch through the bird without expanding. That's why I wouldn't be concerned with an air gun caliber limit. Really only head shots should be attempted with an air gun. A body shot with a large caliber air rifle would behave more like a large caliber powderburner instead of a small caliber fragmenting bullet. It would just punch through without exploding and not instantly kill the bird. If you connect with a .177 in the head he's just as dead as with a .25. After all, look how small your turkey shot is in a shotgun. 1 little pellet penetrating his brain is all it takes. How much more should a .177 do the trick? You will likely either hit them fatally or miss clean. Turkeys do hold their heads still enough when they are looking at a decoy or you to get a head shot. The traditional way to hunt turkeys with a rifle in Florida is actually to shoot them in the head with a .22LR.

Now you got me thinking!!!! Prone you say? That is an excellent idea for sure!!! As For large Caliber PB rifles, I see your point there as it is generally only the YAW that tears up the meat. You are also correct with decoys, didn't think about that. Using a Decoy is a great way to get the Ol Tom to keep still long enough. Decoy, Ghillie suit, Mouth call and slate, plus a .177, or your own choice, Dead Bird with head shot!

Matt
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on September 01, 2012, 03:52:20 PM
Yes, prone is awesome. I have had hens come close enough to me to grab by hand on several occasions and never see me. When I first started turkey hunting I switched from a shotgun to a rifle when I peppered but didn't kill the first big gobbler I shot at. I found the only way I could hold my .22 mag steady enough to shoot at the point of the wing was to use a bipod prone. I had so many close encounters with turkeys that first season hunting prone that I was convinced that turkey eyesight was way overrated. Something about that low profile makes them much less apt to notice you. I stopped hunting prone with rifles when I started hunting public land, both for my safety and the safety of other hunters (back before rifles were banned on public land a couple of years ago). In the years that I've been shotgun hunting of course I can see the difference between how I can get away with turning my head laying prone and how I can't sitting upright.

Its not the way to hunt if you run and gun moving with the birds but its a great way to hunt a high travel area where you are waiting for the birds to come to you.

Air gun hunting would be a great way to have the feel of hunting with a rifle without the safety or "sporting" concerns. Although I personally don't have an ethical problem with someone wanting to shoot a turkey at 100 yards with a rifle if that's what they enjoy I understand I'm in the minority and I'm going to loose that fight. I do see real safety concerns though. It was for safety reasons that rifle hunting was recently banned on public land and I supported that change. An air rifle could negate those safety concerns and add a whole new level of sporting challenge to it. 
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullit on September 01, 2012, 07:36:37 PM
If you guys wanna practice Turkey headshots.
Glue 2 dry navy beans together. That's really close to the size of the brain.  Glue that on a stick that's 1/2" or less thick x 5" long, or less...the vertebrae.  Set that in the ground at to about 18" tall to the top of it. That'll  give you the S/CV size to shoot for.  I'm curious about the hit percentages you get at 25yards or better.  It'll be tough to do.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on September 01, 2012, 08:33:41 PM
... or I can just get a life-sized turkey head print-out and practice shooting the center of the round part of the skull right behind the eye or right between the eyes if he's looking at me. If one small shot the size of a large grain of sand planted anywhere in that region can put him down, I doubt he'll survive planting a much larger pellet anywhere in there. That's a target about the size of a big walnut. Really not much smaller than the kill zone on a coon skull.

Actually that sounds fun. I'm going to run out to Gander and pick one up. Stay tuned.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: gandalfretlaw on September 01, 2012, 08:44:04 PM
I thought a turkey skull was larger than a crow skull. Larger than a rat skull, goose skull, dove skull, heck one of the largest skulls on any bird. The tricky bit is probably getting within decent range.

Gangs of them go thorough downtown Santa Rosa pooping on cars and what not. The tricky bit is to get one to roost in my backyard around Thanksgiving.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on September 02, 2012, 12:07:21 AM
... or I can just get a life-sized turkey head print-out and practice shooting the center of the round part of the skull right behind the eye or right between the eyes if he's looking at me. If one small shot the size of a large grain of sand planted anywhere in that region can put him down, I doubt he'll survive planting a much larger pellet anywhere in there. That's a target about the size of a big walnut. Really not much smaller than the kill zone on a coon skull.

Actually that sounds fun. I'm going to run out to Gander and pick one up. Stay tuned.

(http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd84/Bullgoblin/2012-09-01_22-36-47_859.jpg)

The target on the left was 4 shots with my .25 Mrod, shooting JSBs at 920-930 fps at 23 yards. The target on the right is 4 shots with my wife's .177 Gamo Whisper with Polymags at 880 fps at 15 yards. The Mrod is modded with a 10# spring and TKO. The Whisper is Gene-tuned with a GRT III trigger. I was shooting the Mrod off a bi-pod and used a sandbag for my butt-rest. I used the same sand bag to shoot the Whisper off of at center mass.

I must say, my Mrod group, 4 shots through the same hole, is my best group ever.  I credit that to making a change to my shroud tonight. I always kept my shroud torqued tight against the breech end of the gun. I only learned today that you are supposed to leave a slight gap between the shroud and the breach body. When I fixed that I went from dime-sized groups to 1 hole groups. This is also the first time I've ever been able to make JSBs shoot well. Changing this not only made my groups ridiculously tight, it also changed my point of impact by 4 inches downward and to the right. I think I had my barrel torqued upward before.

Anyhow, the shot group on the right tells a different story. Usually this gun gives dime-nickle sized groups. I was getting good groups out of it earlier this week. However the humidity is very high tonight and that lowered my POI and also spread my shots out. I don't think I would have killed the turkey unless one of those shots hit the base of the skull.

So from what I take out of this, KYMike and I both have a valid point. I think I could drill a turkey every time with my Mrod with some wobble room to spare. But with my springer it would be luck that I would hit it just right. Environmental conditions and hold make at least this particular gun I shot too unreliable to try to head shoot a turkey.

I suppose though its not much different than a shotgunner using a gun that isn't patterning well with a particular choke or load. Just as its the responsibility of the shotgunner to pattern his gun to make sure its up to the task, so the air gunner should make sure his gun can hit consistently enough to do the job. My Mrod can, my Whisper can't. Or it might be more accurate to say, "I" can do it with the Mrod, "I" don't think I can with the Whisper. What you can do with your springer may vary.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Mebits on September 02, 2012, 03:49:47 PM
If you guys wanna practice Turkey headshots.
Glue 2 dry navy beans together. That's really close to the size of the brain.  Glue that on a stick that's 1/2" or less thick x 5" long, or less...the vertebrae.  Set that in the ground at to about 18" tall to the top of it. That'll  give you the S/CV size to shoot for.  I'm curious about the hit percentages you get at 25yards or better.  It'll be tough to do.

KyMike,

I can hit that 9 out of 10 times. :) I'm pretty sure that most of the time my miss is going to be very clsoe. The problem for me comes when it's bobbing and weaving!!!
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: PhantomF4E on September 02, 2012, 05:32:11 PM
I put in my 2c along with a nudge  for Turkey as well
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullit on September 02, 2012, 08:21:47 PM
I've never hunted Turkey with a sandbag or rest.  Just sitting and only the knee to work with.    And those buggers always seem to be on my offside, not in front, or even my strongside!!!  ;D

Medbits:  Yeah Man!  Between mine and his..... ;)
Heck, if a guy can bury pellets without the aid of bags and rests,,, he oughta be out tearing up the Field Target Events.
Look at those guy's scores, on static targets, and they're pros with $$$$ PCPs.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on September 02, 2012, 09:10:09 PM
I would never try to shoot a turkey with a air gun or power-burning rifle without a bipod, either laying prone or off of a table. All of the turkeys I have ever killed with a rifle I have killed laying prone with a bipod. There's no way I can hold a rifle of any sort still enough without a bipod or rest to ethically try to shoot one at the point of the wing connecting to the body. Its outside of my ability with a rifle. I don't run and gun or blind call with a rifle. I save that for a shotgun where all I have to do is quickly swing my barrel at the general direction of a turkey head/neck. I use my rifle, and would use an air gun should it be legal, on spots that I set up on for hours at the time, waiting for turkeys to come to my decoys on their own. Roosts, dusting holes, and strut zones basically. Its like deer hunting with the added element that you can't shoot that bird until he steps just right in front of your rifle or gives you a chance to crawl around to readjust your rifle. Its a challenge in and of itself. That's something shotgun hunters don't understand who've never tried to kill a turkey with a rifle at close range.

Here's a video I made tonight shooting prone in my back yard. I couldn't reproduce my 4 in 1 hole shot group from last night but I think it shows that brain-sized shot groups are realistic with my Marauder. The distance is 30 yards, which might be further than what I'd be comfortable actually shooting at a turkey. 30 yards is a long way for the pellet to hit its mark without the turkey seeing it coming at him or the breeze pushing it ever so slightly. I'd probably limit my air gun shots to 20 yards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bO5Vd00TfeU# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bO5Vd00TfeU#)


Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullit on September 02, 2012, 09:37:26 PM
Us shotgunners set up the same as you do.  There's not much run and gun 'round these parts.
That's not a safe way to hunt, and it's not productive.  Fast moving barrels is a great way to run the birds off.  Turkeys are smart, with excellent sight.  They all know unfamiliar movement.
Perhaps you would like to start a new thread in Back Room to discuss Turkey hunting with AG or not?  More exposure and return this thread to OP
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: UnRest on September 06, 2012, 08:37:59 AM
I was just wondering if this has hit other forums as well? if not this needs to be posted as many forums as possible. My kids and i would love to go hunting next year for squirrels in the game lands. 
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: americanpatriot10 on September 06, 2012, 09:21:23 PM
i am only a member of this forums but please feel free to post this on all other forums !
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullit on September 06, 2012, 10:09:34 PM
Guys,
You may wanna check you Florida game commision's (or whatever name it is...no disrespect here), and see if they have a website blog.  Also, they may have links that you could get to, and spread the word.  Keepin' it local keeps it strong.  We'll chime in from the outside, but...ya' know.
I hope they come along!
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on September 06, 2012, 11:02:24 PM
I agree. The Commission wants to hear from Florida residents first and foremost, although don't think either out-of-state folks don't count. The Commission would want to hear from out-of-staters more so on the turkey issue. Osceola turkeys are the only animal we have people come here from elsewhere to hunt and they draw in revenue. Money talks. If people would make the journey here for the added challege of killing an Osceola with an air rifle, the Commission wil perk up to the idea.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: americanpatriot10 on September 06, 2012, 11:04:45 PM
please look at the topic title "To all Florida shooters" when i posted it , it was for all shooters on this forum from Florida 
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: David Powell on September 07, 2012, 11:14:03 AM
I just added my vote  to support the change. It is long over do! Thanks ! DP in Orlando.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: yosarian9 on October 22, 2012, 02:05:34 PM
Hmm.
It seems the rule change proposed here is no longer up on their site.
I wonder what that means...
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on October 22, 2012, 04:25:39 PM
Hard to tell. Sometime it means they don't like the input they are getting. I would think someone on the Commission liked the idea or else it wouldn't have been proposed. Could also just mean they have enough public input and they know what they are going to do with it one way or the other.

Unfortunately, we have some snobby hunters here (mostly the non-natives, you know who you are ;)). The snobbishness is so bad I usually don't participate in Florida-based hunting forums any more. I hope someone with a prejudice against air-guns didn't make others circle the wagons and shout the proposal down.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on October 22, 2012, 04:36:31 PM
I just checked the agendas for the past few meetings this year and the last meeting in December. I don't see where it was on the agenda. Next years agendas aren't out yet.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Supaflee on October 22, 2012, 06:07:02 PM
Yo , Bullfrog . I just watched your video. Thats real good shooting in my view. Wow the .25 sure thumps'em in eh!!  Good luck with the issues you have there with airgun shooting laws , I hope it all goes well for you .
 Regards Supaflee
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: David Powell on October 26, 2012, 09:14:20 AM
I ratted the cage a bit too! Hope it get's addressed and the thumbs up! ;D
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bently71 on December 26, 2012, 10:59:10 AM
I know I'm late to the party.  The page is already gone.  But this has been a thorn in my side every since I moved to Florida three years ago.   Lucky for me my dad has land covered in squirrels in Bama about an hour and a half north.  Eglin airbase which surrounds me is full of squirrels.  They Eglin rules say "you can use an air rifle at any time in any open areas".   Now when I asked the range officer if that meant we could hunt with an airgun he said no we follow Florida law.  So I said why allow airguns if you can't shoot them?  He said its for target shooting or training kids to shoot.  So I said the rule book says no target shooting right? He said yep.  So I'm confused? You can use a airgun year round? But you can't shoot it? Really? What a well thought out plan. 
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bently71 on December 26, 2012, 11:08:23 AM
Here is the actual rules copied from the Eglin rule book. 

Possession and Use
A. Restrictions. Possession or use of any type gun or bow is prohibited except during designated hunting seasons when specified weapons are permitted as authorized, or while proceeding to and from the Eglin/Hurlburt skeet range or Choctaw Bowmen archery area.
B. Legal Firearms. For taking nonmigratory game only, shotguns, centerfire rifles, muzzleloading guns, longbows (including compound and recurve bows), crossbows (during general gun season only), or birds of prey may be used. Squirrels may be taken using rimfire rifles except .22 magnum and .17 HMR.
1. Spring Operated or Air Powered BB Guns may be used year-round under adult supervision in all areas open to outdoor recreation.
2. The use of magnified scopes is permitted on all firearms.
Title: Re: TO ALL FLORIDA SHOOTERS
Post by: Bullfrog on April 01, 2013, 12:20:01 AM
http://myfwc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1999/kw/air%20gun (http://myfwc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1999/kw/air%20gun)

Check it out, according to the FWC the regs are likely going to change after July to allow air gun hunting with squirrels and rabbits. Woo hoo!