Texas Hunting Forum

PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas

Posted By: ntxtrapper

PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/23/18 08:42 PM

http://www.wideopenspaces.com/texas-pass...-deer-and-more/

When used to hunt alligator, deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, javelina, or turkey, the air gun:

(i) is a pre-charged pneumatic; and

(ii) fires a projectile of at least .30 caliber in diameter; and

(iii) fires a bullet of least 150 grains in weight at a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces a muzzle energy of at least 215 foot-pounds.
Posted By: Creek Henry

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/24/18 08:41 PM

That seems light for big game, but good for the small/medium stuff out to 60 yards or so. I am not against this but I wonder how it will help hunting overall.
Posted By: dogcatcher

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/25/18 03:01 PM

Originally Posted By: Creek Henry
That seems light for big game, but good for the small/medium stuff out to 60 yards or so. I am not against this but I wonder how it will help hunting overall.


Today's air guns are way more powerful than the ones of even 10 years ago.
Posted By: MClark

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/25/18 04:09 PM

150 grains at 800 FPS is a equivalent to a 38 Special target load.
If very good shot placement it would work but I'm with Henry, kinda light.
But it is the minimum, some of the big bores of 45 to 50 caliber are more powerful even exceeding the magical 1000 foot pounds.

Posted By: rdhibbs

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/25/18 04:45 PM

Do not overlook required Hunter Ed that is not developed yet.
Posted By: ntxtrapper

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/25/18 04:57 PM

Originally Posted By: rdhibbs
Do not overlook required Hunter Ed that is not developed yet.


§42.014, the department is authorized to require persons who were born after September 1, 1971 to complete a hunter education course in order to hunt by means of firearm, lawful archery equipment, or crossbow. The hunter education program has been an unqualified success in Texas, and has resulted in a drastic reduction in hunting accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The department believes it is prudent to require persons who hunt by means of air guns and arrow guns to receive the same hunter education training as persons who hunt with firearms, lawful archery equipment, or crossbows.
Posted By: rdhibbs

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/26/18 02:04 PM

News Release
Media Contact: TPWD News, news@tpwd.texas.gov, 512-389-8030

Aug. 24, 2018



TPW Commission Adopts Rules Permitting Pneumatic Weapons for Hunting
AUSTIN – Beginning this fall, hunters in Texas will be able to use air guns and arrow guns that meet criteria established under new rules adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

The regulations create a new category of legal means for hunting in Texas defined as pre-charged pneumatic devices. Unlike pellet guns and traditional air rifles that can be charged manually or with an attached CO2 cartridge, pre-charged pneumatic air guns and arrow guns are those weapons for which an unignited compressed gas propellant is supplied or introduced from a detached source.

The TPW Commission decision follows months of scrutiny to avoid creating undue risks of wounding of wildlife from pneumatic weaponry. These devices must meet minimum standards of ballistic efficacy.

Minimum ballistic specifications of pre-charged pneumatics approved by the Commission for hunting alligators, big game and turkeys are: .30 caliber bullets weighing at least 150 grains powered by an unignited compressed gas propellant charge capable of attaining a muzzle velocity of at least 800 feet per second (fps) OR any bullet weight and muzzle velocity combination that produces at least 215 foot pounds of energy.

For furbearers, pre-charged pneumatics must be at least .30 caliber. For squirrels, chachalaca, quail and pheasant an air rifle does not need to be a pre-charged pneumatic, but it must be able to propel a minimum .177 caliber projectile at least 600 fps.

In addition to minimum standards for pre-charged pneumatic devices, the Commission adopted provisions that hunter education certification requirements be met in order to hunt any wildlife resource.

At least 10 other states permit the use of pneumatic devices for hunting big game, and all but three states allow their use for hunting certain other wildlife species. Their use in Texas previously was limited to hunting anything other than game animals (except squirrels), game birds, alligators, and furbearers.

The new rules will take effect Sept. 29, 2018. Additional information on the use of air guns and arrow guns is available online.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/release...rce=govdelivery


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Posted By: ntxtrapper

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/26/18 02:33 PM

§42.014, the department is authorized to require persons who were born after September 1, 1971 to complete a hunter education course in order to hunt by means of firearm, lawful archery equipment, or crossbow. The hunter education program has been an unqualified success in Texas, and has resulted in a drastic reduction in hunting accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The department believes it is prudent to require persons who hunt by means of air guns and arrow guns to receive the same hunter education training as persons who hunt with firearms, lawful archery equipment, or crossbows.
Posted By: rdhibbs

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/26/18 03:11 PM

The original post and link are NOT TPWD. In that artical it states they must establish Hunter Ed requirements.

The announcement that I posted is TPWD and seamed to back the original statement up.

Your post is obviously the amended law, which I had not seen.

I do not and will not own this type of equipment, but I do teach a Hunter Ed. So haveing correct information is important to me. Thank you for posting. The amended law.
Posted By: don k

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/26/18 06:07 PM

This is good to shoot deer with and a 223 isn't. Strange
Posted By: mow

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/27/18 09:38 AM

have you checke the prices on these? i did a while back..not sustainable unless prices go way down..ill stick with my 300 win mag..308..30/30,etc. etc, etc
Posted By: Creek Henry

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/30/18 05:44 PM

Agreed on the pricing part. Until the really usable models become affordable, this is a gimmick. That said... the price of basic bows has become outrageous. I'll stick with my recurve I guess and smaller game.
Posted By: mustang coach

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/30/18 05:52 PM

Can they be used during bow season?
Posted By: fouzman

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/30/18 06:38 PM

Originally Posted By: mustang coach
Can they be used during bow season?


No.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdo...thods#section-3

"Arrow guns may not be used to hunt deer or turkey during archery season."

If you can't use an "arrow gun" during archery season, you sure can't use an PCP airgun. I know a LOT of archery hunters were hoping they could use these devices during archery only season. TPWD said no. Which I'm glad they did. That may take some of the luster out of the air gun crowd. Except for convicted felons. I was not and still am not in favor of this change to Texas regs.
Posted By: Smokey Bear

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/30/18 06:46 PM

I'm mystified why someone other than a felon, who can't legally own a firearm, would go this route????
Posted By: ntxtrapper

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/31/18 12:24 AM

Originally Posted By: Smokey Bear
I'm mystified why someone other than a felon, who can't legally own a firearm, would go this route????


These aren't 300 yard guns like most deer rifles are. They are producing about half of the velocities that muzzle loaders do. You have to get close to your game. Not archery close but nothing like normal rifle hunting. I supported this movement because if someone want's to hunt big game in Texas and it's legal, ethical and effective, they get my support. As for the high price, here's one that is about what a rigged out bow costs these days.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Umarex_Hammer_50_PCP_Air_Rifle/4336
Posted By: krmitchell

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/31/18 12:45 AM

Originally Posted By: don k
This is good to shoot deer with and a 223 isn't. Strange


Exactly. Or a .300 blk, .22-250, etc.
Posted By: Duck_Hunter

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/31/18 02:27 AM

Originally Posted By: krmitchell
Originally Posted By: don k
This is good to shoot deer with and a 223 isn't. Strange


Exactly. Or a .300 blk, .22-250, etc.


Wait, is 300 AAC BLK not allowed for deer?
Posted By: Nogalus Prairie

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/31/18 02:38 AM

Originally Posted By: Smokey Bear
I'm mystified why someone other than a felon, who can't legally own a firearm, would go this route????


We are in the “anything goes” era of hunting.
Posted By: Sneaky

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/31/18 03:09 AM

Originally Posted By: Duck_Hunter
Originally Posted By: krmitchell
Originally Posted By: don k
This is good to shoot deer with and a 223 isn't. Strange


Exactly. Or a .300 blk, .22-250, etc.


Wait, is 300 AAC BLK not allowed for deer?


In Texas, anything centerfire is legal.
Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/31/18 04:23 AM

Originally Posted By: Nogalus Prairie
Originally Posted By: Smokey Bear
I'm mystified why someone other than a felon, who can't legally own a firearm, would go this route????


We are in the “anything goes” era of hunting.


I can’t wait to use my new punt gun on ducks! Or kill bison by the trainload! Or kill hundreds of gar just for swimming in the lake!

I think those days are mostly behind us.
Posted By: Pitchfork Predator

Re: PCP airguns/airbows are now legal for big game in Texas - 08/31/18 12:47 PM

I think the air bows are cool. They are much easier to shoot than a bow and more than enough energy for a clean kill.
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