Pa. bill legalizing air rifles for big game hunting gives Game Commission several options

A state legislator says his bill for allowing air rifles to hunt big game animals in Pennsylvania will give the Pennsylvania Game Commission the ability to decide when and where these guns fit into the hunting seasons.

State Rep. Gary W. Day, a Republican from Lehigh County, introduced House Bill 1538 on June 2 and it has been referred to the Game and Fisheries Committee.

The bill would make air rifles an acceptable option for big game similar to centerfire rifles, muzzleloaders and archery gear. Right now, air rifles are permitted for small game and furbearers, but not big game animals like deer.

“The genesis of why I wanted to do this was constituent-related. I had a constituent contact me and say, ‘I would appreciate if you took a look at these and give us the ability to use these in this capacity,’” Day said in a telephone interview.

“It’s important for hunters to know, that if they contact their state rep., they have a really good chance of having a positive outcome. I always want people to engage.”

He also wants people with an opinion on the topic to share their thoughts on the legislation with him.

“What I’ve seen so far, is that the Game Commission was able to do it with small game,” he said. “So the legislation doesn’t specifically say how to do it but directs them legislatively to do it.”

Travis Lau, director of communications for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said the agency does support what’s being proposed in the bill.

“By essentially adding air guns in, it would allow for setting seasons that include air guns. It wouldn’t be a mandate where if the legislation were to pass that air guns must be included in X or Y season, but what it would do, it would allow the board of commissioners to include air guns in the firearms season,” Lau said.

With air rifles already being permitted for small game, Lau said, “This would close the loop and allow the Game Commission to regulate air guns for big game hunting, too. I think any of that is possible, but ultimately it’s going to be up to the board and it’s not going to be up to the board without legislation first.”

Day points out that his bill is just the start of the process.

“If through the legislative process, people want me to direct a little more, I’m open to hearing that input,” he said. Day said anyone who has input on the proposal such as which big game animals should be included or not included, can email him at [email protected]. “We are wide open to continue to take information on this. This, by far, has not been determined yet how much we are going to direct with the legislation.”

Air rifle technology has improved over recent years and Day said it’s already a legal option for hunters in 29 other states.

Phillip Guadalupe, senior product manager for airguns for Iconic Outdoor Group, said, “The biggest advantage of air rifles, especially once you start getting to the big bores, they are typically a lot quieter and more accurate,” he said.

While they don’t have the same top-end speed as centerfire rifles, Guadalupe said air guns are still effective hunting tools. “There is still plenty of energy to take down big game.”

Iconic Outdoor Group owns numerous brands of air gun companies including Daisy Outdoor Products, GAMO USA, Crosman Corp. and Benjamin Airguns. The company is headquartered in Rogers, Arkansas, and Guadalupe works in their Bloomfield, New York, office.

The air guns are pre-charged pneumatic rifles that use cylinders filled with compressed air to launch pellets down range at speeds that make them an ethical option for hunters. They are able to shoot an average of five shots at the top velocity setting before they need to be recharged.

While some shoot large pellets, they also have an airbow that shoots arrows similar to other archery gear.

“Our Benjamin Bulldog comes in a .257 caliber, a .357 caliber and a .457 caliber,” he said. The airbow was launched about nine years ago and has been used for various game animals including bison.

When comparing an air gun to a centerfire rifle, Guadalupe believes airguns are the safer option.

“The projectile won’t travel as far through, like if you have a pass-through on the animal, that inherently makes it much safer,” he said.

Guadalupe personally likes shooting and hunting with airguns.

“I went to West Virginia the other year, like two years ago and did a hog hunt,” he said. “It basically fell down,” he said about making a lethal shot on a wild pig with his .357 caliber air rifle. The effective range depends on the size of the animal, the speed of the gun and the ability of the hunter. “I know guys are shooting prairie dogs out to 125 yards,” he said. “I would say for effective hunting, 75 yards or less. The capabilities are out there.”

With the right ammunition, Guadalupe said air rifles can be more accurate than centerfire rifles.

“With my M357 (PCP air rifle), I can do a cloverleaf at 50 yards if not tighter. And at 100 yards, it’s about the same thing,” he said.

The weight of air rifles is about 8 to 9 pounds depending on the size of the scope, making them similar in weight to centerfire rifles. For those wanting even a quieter shoot experience, they can add a moderator that reduces shot noise. “Even without a moderator, there’s no real crack of an airgun,” he said about them being relatively quiet.

While air rifles have a long history in the United States, improvements are continuing to be made with guns.

“The technology has come a long way over the last five years,” Guadalupe said. The guns are being made more compact and have more shot energy. “The one thing I like about airguns versus centerfire rifles is it’s kind of like archery, you need to get up close to your game, so you only have a short distance, a small window of opportunity to take that shot.”

Reporting by Brian Whipkey, Pennsylvania Outdoors Columnist / Erie Times-News