A northeast legislator has started the process of eventually introducing a bill allowing the use of large-caliber air guns to hunt big game. While this is still in the early stages, it does raise some questions, the most important of which is “Are air guns capable of ethically dispatching Pennsylvania’s big-game species?”

On May 7, Rep. Gary Day, a Republican member of the House representing Lehigh County, circulated a memo requesting con-sponsors for a bill that would “authorize the use of large-caliber air rifles for hunting big game in Pennsylvania.” In support of this proposal, Rep. Day claimed, “Modern large-caliber air rifles are capable of achieving the velocity and energy required for ethical big-game hunting,” and doing so would allow Pennsylvania to “join 29 other states where this means of hunting is currently legal”.

I was surprised by Rep. Day’s claim that 29 states allow the taking of big game with an air rifle. I realize air guns have experienced a rapid increase in popularity and that several states allow their use for hunting. I assumed, incorrectly, as I found, that most states would limit their use to small game. I never expected over half of states to allow air rifles for big game.

Of the states that do allow air rifles for the taking of big game, Maryland and West Virginia are the closest to Pennsylvania. Because hunters are likely to encounter similar game in our neighbors to the south, I was interested in seeing what their limitations or requirements may be.

Maryland allows air rifles that use either a bullet, arrow, or bolt during the regular firearms season. For bear or whitetail deer, the firearm must be .40 caliber or larger and produce at least 400 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. When using an arrow, it must produce at least 300 feet per second of speed, shoot an arrow of no less than 18 inches, and have a broadhead of at least 7/8 inches wide. If hunting turkeys, hunters may only use an air rifle that shoots arrows.

West Virginia allows hunters to use air guns to take feral hogs, whitetail deer, bear, and turkey, as well as most non-big game species. For hogs, deer, and bears, the requirements include a slug of at least 200 grains and a caliber not smaller than .45. For turkeys, the requirement is simply .22 caliber or larger.

But can an air rifle ethically take a bear, deer, turkey, or even an elk? After all, these are the species Pennsylvania hunters are likely to encounter. The short answer is “yes.” Air rifle hunting has been very popular in Europe for decades, primarily due to the difficulty in obtaining a permit to own a traditional firearm, even for hunting purposes. As Rep. Day stated, they are also allowed in 29 U.S. states.

One of the first states to embrace air rifles was Texas, which initially allowed their use when hunting feral hogs and later expanded the regulations to include alligators, desert bighorn sheep, javelina, mule deer, mountain lions, whitetail deer, turkeys, and exotic game species. The most significant difference between Texas and Maryland or West Virginia is that in Texas, a minimum of 800-foot pounds of energy is required for most big-game species.

If you want to see how air rifles perform on really big game, turn your sights to Africa. South Africa first allowed the use of air rifles in 2003. Since then, hunters have recorded taking species such as wildebeest, impala, warthog, and kuda. I also found a video of a 2,000-pound Cape Buffalo being taken with a .50-caliber UMRX Hammer. It’s pretty impressive, considering the typical caliber rifle used to hunt this animal is the .416 Rigby or Remington Magnum.

I do not know if Rep. Day’s attempt to legalize air rifles for big game will be successful or what requirements may be put in place if it is. However, with the right air rifle, correct shot placement, and an experienced shooter, there is no reason to believe they could not be used successfully for any of Pennsylvania’s big-game species.