Last week, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department gave the nod to allow the use of air rifles for big game hunting this coming fall/winter season. The passing of this new law was a long time coming. Many other states have learned that rifles developing 500 foot pounds of energy with bullets propelled by 3,000 psi of compressed air develop more than enough energy to cleanly harvest big game.
I believe one of the big reasons that game departments have been slow in allowing air rifles during the general hunting seasons is lack of knowledge. When air guns are mentioned, most folks think of the “pump up” pellet rifles of yesteryear. Today’s PCP air rifles charge to 3,000 psi. air pressure via a pressurized scuba or lighter carbon fiber air tank. Most first time shooters are amazed at the power of these rifles.
more:
http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_110430.shtml

Good.

Sweet..... now to get an air rifle

I wouldn’t say 500 ft. Lbs is “more than enough” energy to cleanly take big game

The old minimum was considered to be 900 ft.lbs on impact.


I don’t really care one way or the other but I will say this will probably result in more wounded game.

What are the benefits for individual hunters & the hunting community in general?

Kind of my thoughts as well, maximus. Why should we be hunting big game with air rifles? The debates on here run wild with which calibers are and are not suitable for white-tailed deer. Yes, a .22 LR will kill a deer but is it the best tool for the job? Nope and neither is a pellet rifle shooting a .177 or .22 caliber pellet.

Today's air rifles are not the same as the 177 and 22 are not the same as the pellet guns of our youth.

I know that, what caliber is the projectile? Today's bows are not the bows of our youth either, but many deer are wounded and lost by archers.

https://www.airgundepot.com/airforce-texan-ss-hawke-scope-combo.html

$1280

Years ago seen Keith Warren doing a show bout air rifles.

These air rifles are of large caliber but not flying all that fast. Most have less energy than a .357 magnum handgun, which is considered marginal for deer hunting.

I’ve seen a few you tube videos of people killing hogs with them. My question is “why is this something you would want to do”?

Mine too. But I think I know the answer..."Because I can."

I'd much rather have a bow in my hand than an air rifle. hell......guys get flack for shooting deer with a .22 hornet.....which has more power than a lot of these air guns

Only way I see it taking off in Texas is if they make a special season or lump them in with say a muzzle loader season.
I've not seen anything that says they will be allowed for use on deer. Big game can mean hogs and predators.

Hogs and predators are not big game animals and are already legal to take by any means or method. No, I think these guys are talking deer to Cape Buffalo. Not that a PH would allow it on a dangerous game hunt.

I posted a few videos myself when I first joined this forum. A good friend and hunting buddy was sent a Benjamin Rouge to field test, and it most definately got field tested. LOTS of different projectiles got tested on pigs from 15 to over 200 yrds. 357 energy from the muzzle @ 3,000 psi but with the right “pellets” were consistently getting pass through’s up to 200 yrds on 200 lb average sized boar hogs. Those that didn’t pass through still killed. Must admit, was a lot more effective than I thought it’d be. Why you ask? Why not. It’s different, it’s quiet, and it’s fun unless you have to carry it stalking in the corn crop country.

The ones I heard are LOud

The Rogue sounded about like a 22 mag on the high setting. Hit with authority though. That particular rifle would be great still hunting, it gets old fast stalking with it because it’s long and heavy. There are many other HP air rifles to choose from nowadays, and there are others that know a lot more about them than I do but, if they’ll kill mature pigs at “average” hunting ranges they’ll have no problem killing deer.

This.

It is just another hunting "tool".

ranchers better hide their obnoxious cattle

Umarex has a new one called the Hammer that shoots a 50 cal bullet 950 FPS.
You can shoot a 180 grain 45 sabot 1100 FPS.
Many think they are quiet but they sound like a potato cannon. Not really loud but not quiet either.

how many will own up to wounding an animal with .22 or .223

Cool. More hunters in the field and sport. I would think with the hogs moving into urban neighborhoods, this would be a good option to kill them with.

I think most of the city ordinances have that covered with the use of BB guns.