Air Gun Hunting Laws

What states allow air gun hunting? Choose your state to see what's allowed.

We have worked together with Airgun Sporting Association to compile state specific regulations for air gun hunting. This map shows the states where it is legal to hunt with air guns, and also lists restrictions, if there are any. Remember, pest control is approved in all states, but this map lists any game above and beyond that. We've listed over 100+ species - and have included everything from rabbit, white tail deer and everything in between.

There are 2 ways to use this map:

1. Air gun hunting by state: Simply click on the state, and it will list all the species that are allowed to be hunted in that state.
2. Air gun hunting by specific game: Choose any state, and click on the species name you want, and it will highlight all the states where that particular species can be legally hunted.

Because of the ever changing laws, use this map as a guide, but consult with your local state authorities to be sure there are no recent state changes impacting hunting laws and regulations in that particular state!

Legal Air Rifle Hunting

Since the air gun was first invented someone has always hunted with it. Be it frogs, birds, squirrels, snakes, or insects. Kids and adults have all done it.

Little did we know that we were probably breaking the law.

In 2008, Missouri was one of the first states in America to allow air guns to be used to harvest large game.

Since that time, changing the laws for hunting all sizes of game animals with air guns has been an ongoing commitment. Many air gunners across the country have taken to educating legislators and State Game Management officials about the capabilities and advantages of using a big bore air gun for big game hunting.

As more states allow air guns to be used in hunting, it makes it easier for other states to change their air gun hunting laws as a precedent has already been set, and they can follow those guidelines.

You may not use just any air gun for hunting, each state has set its own standards of minimum caliber and power levels that can be used for different sized game.

The weapons that meet these standards are a far cry from the Daisy Red Ryder or Benjamin pump-up pellet guns people may envision when the term air gun is used.

Air rifles capable of killing game as large as American Bison have been around since the 1700s. Lewis and Clark carried an air rifle on their famous expedition west.

Although used primarily as a show of strength to prevent possible attacks from some Native American Indian tribes, the Girandoni air rifle they carried was capable of firing up to 30 shots before requiring the removable air reservoir be changed with a fully charged one, which could then be recharged from a hand pump.

This same air gun design was also in service with the Austrian army from 1780 until 1815, it was favored because it did not produce a huge smoke cloud when fired like muzzleloading flintlocks of the time, and it was also a repeater, requiring only a few seconds between shots, something unheard of at that time. Modern air guns that can be used for hunting are capable of firing bullets and even arrows with great accuracy and power.

Air Gun Regulations

In the United States, air gun hunting regulations and requirements are governed at a state level, therefore each state has different seasons and different minimum caliber and velocity/power requirements.

Most states allow air guns to be used for harvesting game during the regular firearms hunting seasons, but not during the primitive weapons seasons if your state has those special seasons.

Some states like Texas require a minimum of a .30 caliber air gun with a 150-grain projectile, shooting a minimum of 800 feet per second, producing at least 215-foot pounds of energy at the muzzle, or a combination of bullet weight and velocity meeting or exceeding the 215-foot pounds of energy minimum.

Other states have a minimum of a .35 caliber, while others have a minimum of .40 caliber and at least 400-foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.

Pyramyd Air has this interactive guide that shows air gun laws by state and what types of game animals can be harvested with air guns.

You should consult your state Department of Wildlife & Fisheries for up-to-date revisions of the 2021 air gun hunting laws.

In addition to air rifles, some states allow airbows to be used for hunting big game.

An airbow is a precharged air gun that fires an arrow (also called a bolt) like a crossbow, but it uses compressed air to launch the arrow at speeds that are unattainable by most modern handheld crossbows and compound bows, and much faster than a traditional recurve or longbow are capable of.

An added benefit of the airbow is its lightweight, and its great level of accuracy, since there is no mechanical movement or vibration other than a valve opening at the instant of firing.

If you live outside of the United States please consult your country's requirements involving licensing, hunting, and any special air gun requirements beforehand.

Air rifle hunting laws for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New, Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming