Hunting with big bore air rifle, legal or illegal?

[bushpilotmexico]

Can't seem to find any info on the legality of hunting with a .45 caliber air rifle. It can push a 250 grain bullet at 800 fps.

[moosecaller]

I believe the regulations say a center fire cartridge for big game. Or a bow and arrow with some weight/cutting dimension guidelines. The air rifle would not be considered either, despite the projectile weight and velocity.

[twoSevenO]

What kind of air rifle is this? I've never heard of a .45 cal air rifle, only .177 and .22.
If its over 500fps it requires a PAL and qualifies as a "firearm". Having said that, i see no problem why you couldn't hunt small game with it like you could with a rimfire. Note that it is not a centerfire firearm, so deer and anything else is off limits.

[Drillbit]

^My pelet gun when I was a kid was a .20cal Sheridan. It was awesome.


As for the .45cal ones, I know Shockey uses them sometimes on his shows, not sure about in Canada or not though.

Good question

[ruger#1]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?131223-quot-PNEU-quot-50cal-I-want-one

[BCHunterTV]

the response i got when in inquiring to use my 1500 fps pellet gun for bobcats,



The possession of a pellet/bb/paintball gun (firearm) or slingshot (other weapon) while meeting the definition above is considered hunting and can only be done in compliance with hunting regulations in the province. There are currently no prohibitions on the use of air guns to hunt upland game birds/small game in British Columbia. There are no restrictions on velocity/ammunition requirements. However, note that it is an offence to hunt with a with a firearm that is designed, altered or intended to be aimed and fired by the action of one hand or that has a barrel less than 305 mm in length.
While it is not prohibited to hunt with an air gun, please be advised that it is an offence to injure wildlife and fail to make every reasonable effort to retrieve the wildlife and kill it. Considering the limited killing ability and range of air guns it is possible that possession of only an air gun to kill wounded wildlife would be inadequate to meet the standards of “every reasonable effort” to retrieve and kill a wounded animal. It is possible that it would be an offence to wound game with an air gun and not be able to kill the wounded animal and retrieve the meat. Also note that it is an offence to hunt with a firearm that is designed to be shot with one hand (i.e. a hand gun), regardless of the caliber.
Ethics play a large role in the hunter’s decision to hunt with a pellet gun. The hunter should consider whether the method being used is an effective and humane way to harvest an animal, and that the potential for wounding loss or unnecessary suffering is minimized. Hunting big game with an air gun is not recommended, besides the fact that it could be considered an offence if the hunter is unable to track and kill the wounded animal with that weapon, most air guns do not have the power to ethically and humanely kill an animal. It is highly recommended that if you are hunting with an air rifle that you also carry a rim fire or center fire rifle in the case that a wounded animal needs to be tracked and killed.

[bushpilotmexico]

What kind of air rifle is this? I've never heard of a .45 cal air rifle, only .177 and .22.
If its over 500fps it requires a PAL and qualifies as a "firearm". Having said that, i see no problem why you couldn't hunt small game with it like you could with a rimfire. Note that it is not a centerfire firearm, so deer and anything else is off limits.

Airforce Texan....Google it for YouTube videos.

[OoDark]

Trying to currently get a better answer from BC cos.

Hi,


I Would like a better explanation, the pages 16 - 17 only read like a guide line

The bolts weigh 450gr weight for crossbow bolt met
Bolts use proper sized broad heads. Blade sizes met
and you muzzle load the bolt.
You need a PAL to buy one. So power requirements met


Next question will be where is the list would this fit on the list as to weapon type when using bolts.


Thanks,


Sent from my iPad

On Feb 15, 2018, at 4:54 PM, FrontCounter BC FLNR:EX <FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca> wrote:

Hi Rob,

Thank you for your email.

Please review pages 16 & 17 of the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for the legal hunting methods in BC.

It is not legal to hunt with anything other than a shotgun or bow in shotgun only or bow only areas and open seasons.

Please let us know if you have any further questions after review.

Regards,

<image001.jpg>

Christine Sehn Natural Resource Specialist FrontCounter BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development Tel: 1-877-855-3222 FrontCounter BC Website | Toll-Free Contact Centre: 1-877-855-3222 Tell us about your experience with FrontCounter BC: Complete an Online Comment Card

Good day,

I am currently wondering if it’s legal to use a 50cal air rifle for deer in bc.
And is it legal to shoot the 50 cal bolts that you can buy for deer? Would this be legal in shotgun and bow zones?

Thanks for your help

[Gateholio]

Answer to what?

[OoDark]

See above comment