Washington State Hunting Laws Regading Air Rifles

[gaisom]

  How many of you Washington State Hunters would join in an effort to make Air Rifles of a certain FPE level legal for hunting certain game in WA. 
  I am thinking that the WDFW board that sets the rules has no information on the capabilities of modern Air Rifles regarding the accuracy, distance and power at a given distance.
  Remember, these are the people who, only a few years ago would not allow hunting of Game with a CrossBow.
  I think it might be in our hunters best interest to make the appropriate licensing board more capable of making good decisions regarding airguns. 
  However, on the other side of the coin it may also cause them to revisit some of the existing law on what is considered a pest/invasive species. What say you?

[ToRmEnToR]

I'm with you there.. In Tacoma there's a city ordnance of no firing anything bb/pellet, even airsoft within the city limits without permit! What do you think the first step would be?

[gaisom]

I'm with you there.. In Tacoma there's a city ordnance of no firing anything bb/pellet, even airsoft within the city limits without permit! What do you think the first step would be?

I suggest you get the permit.  This is obviously aimed at kids with the above named weapons.  However, this is not the reason I posted the question, as State Hunting Laws will not take preference in these types of cases.

I also seem to remember that this law was spurred on by a City Policeman shooting a boy playing with a friend at night in an alley with an Airsoft gun.  ( They were not required to have orange barrel tips at the time).

That aside, I think the first thing that would have to be done is to educate the people on the board as to the capabilities of modern Air Rifles.

[Bullit]

Perhaps you may contact Rob Ensley or Tom Nelson (KIRO radio), and they might be able to help steer you.

[gaisom]

Perhaps you may contact Rob Ensley or Tom Nelson (KIRO radio), and they might be able to help steer you.

Great Idea!  I am going to start writing down Who (contact) What(Air Rifles) When (Done before the next Rules and Regulations Meeting)

I will probably have to find what the estimated FPE per caliber to penetrate Turkey Feathers is..(Turkey should be much tougher than grouse)

Also probably look at a list of game species that would be able to (perhaps) be taken with an airgun.

I suspect I will also need max estimated range and effective range for the different calibers also...starting to look very complicated.

[Bullit]

Woah Mule !!!!!
Start and stick with squirrel and rabbits!   Grouse may be attainable, but I'll assure you that they and Turkey hunters will laugh you off the stage buddy.  Have you ever Turkey Hunted?  That head doesn't sit still,,,and it takes a few pellets, concentrated, to put one down...I know this well. 
EDIT:  Bottom line is, a body shot isn't gonna do it without big bore powerful PCPs.   
A Shotgun is cheaper & proven.
There's a lot of money tied up in the management of those 2, and many upland game species. 
Start and stay w/something a little more "palletable"  to small caliber hunting.
 Heck!,  If you wanna species that nobody likes...go after Nutria.     G'Luck to ya!

[williesurvive]

 Nutria, opossum, starlings, and hosps are the only ones you can hunt on the west side with an airgun. Haven't heard back on the collared doves yet.

[ToRmEnToR]

+1  bullit

[Rico14]

Perhaps you may contact Rob Ensley or Tom Nelson (KIRO radio), and they might be able to help steer you.

Great Idea!  I am going to start writing down Who (contact) What(Air Rifles) When (Done before the next Rules and Regulations Meeting)

I will probably have to find what the estimated FPE per caliber to penetrate Turkey Feathers is..(Turkey should be much tougher than grouse)

Also probably look at a list of game species that would be able to (perhaps) be taken with an airgun.

I suspect I will also need max estimated range and effective range for the different calibers also...starting to look very complicated.

It's not complicated, but your thought process is making it complicated. You just want them to make it legal to use airguns to hunt. Don't worry about FPE, distances, ect. How is a warden going to check your FPE in the field? How are you going to show him if he asks YOU? Follow what California's is doing. Look at all the game animals that you are allowed to hunt there with an air gun. No mention of FPE, FPS, etc. You can even hunt turkey with a .177. And yes, you can drop a turkey with a well placed .177. Bottom line, don't make it complicated for them, and you will have a better chance of a positive result

[45Bravo]

I would look to a state near you that already allows several species to be taken with air guns.

Then use that as a basis for your wildlife and fisheries department to look to for their rulings.

Bottom line, if another state has done it, it is easier for them to accept it, and model their laws accordingly.

Just a suggestion.

[gaisom]

Great replies all.  I don't neccassarily think Turkeys should be out of reach, but I agree it may be reaching too far too soon.  Basics would definetly be good at this point.

I think I remember reading that the red squirrel is in a protected staus, and the Eastern Grey can already be hunted .  There are 3 species of squirrels here from what I read.

I don't think there are any Jackrabbits here, mostly cottontail, at least on the west side,  I also remember something about Tularemia and another type of sickness the cottontails in Western Washington have so I wouldn't eat one anyway.

Back to reading about our game here.  BTW  I have trouble thinking that an introduced species (Turkeys) should have special support in our state.  If the state is going to plant birds here it should be a native bird that can survive and multiply.  But that. Is getting off on another track, sorry.

[Rocko]

I have to agree with the previous poster,  A list of other states that allow their use would be something for them to think about.  Keep it simple.

[gaisom]

Well.... it seems other states have laws both more restrictive and less restrictive.

 In talking to one member he asked if I had thought about how any push to make wdfw more knowledgeable would probably also result in a change in license fees, and rule changes by those who have no knowledge except book reading making decisions regarding the use of air guns.  It could possibly even result in reclassifying airguns as firearms.  Think I will study this a while more.

[45Bravo]

Then the smart thing to do is when you go, only bring examples of the less restrictive ones.

And bring several examples of those less restrictive states.

So if they aren't too diligent in their own research,  they MAY think it is fairly common.

[DragonKiller]

Just had your thread shared on one I started for the same thing - not sure how I missed this one! I'll read everything above more thoroughly later on, but just wanted to say I'm in!

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=77259.0

[Airgunmodguy]

I know this is an old topic and not sure if a new thread has been started on this topic or not.

I would definitely be in on showing that its humanely possible to drop big game ( deer, elk, bear and so on) with big bore air rifles.

Fpe would a good analysis starting point and also other states that allow air guns for hunting a great second.

Im in and lets get this going

[Dairyboy]

I would love if WA would open hunting in general to airguns small and big game. Only legal on non classified species.

[ToRmEnToR]

If you talk to your local game warden they will answer a lot of questions for you.