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- Thread starter WOW
- Start date
Link us to that DNR Rule please. I couldn't find it. It seems kind of odd to limit power based on being under 700fps. Especially when powder cartridges require 500pfe.
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So, it may require a little more in depth research than the two links and postings... The Ill. Legislature's firearms definition coupled with the DNR hunting rules do not yet allow for the big bores from what I read. This is because 1) the current 2024 DNR deer hunting rules publish only what weapon size and cartridge are lawful to hunt with, but do not spell out any provision for air rifle use, even if hunting with an air rifle falling under the Illinois Legislature's firearms definitions, and 2) it looks like that bill to allow airgun in hunting use died in the legislative process on 1/8/2019 by "Session Sine Die " otherwise the rule making body was required to publish such changes.
I may have missed it, and I'll gladly be wrong because there are many state's governing bodies acting very unlawfully and unconstitutional as of late.
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There can't be that stringent of "standardization" in airguns because we need to be able to tune them to shoot accurately by adjusting the power levels to the ammo used and vice-versa. Power levels are gairly easy math as advertised per the fill pressure and ammo used for the field officer checking out your airgun too.
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They are advertised as a standard based on ammo use and or max power produced. Including Western. The small caliber cheaper airguns sold in big box stores like Dicks use high speed fps numbers because that is what first time buyer's want to see and they'reusuallyshooting small critters or paper. On a large game hunting big bore the highest producing pfe number is used and likewise needed. Simply put, what and how the current standardization is used for each, including how they are advertised, is a good standardization for the uneducated general public.
I'd move.
I'd move.
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I believe you are over thinking this, but I could be wrong. I'd say the absolute best recommendation would be to go straight to the Illinois DNR and ask them specifically what the requirements for airguns are for hunting deer. It looks to me that the only requirement (from your second reference) is that the airgun must be .45 caliber or larger. The DNR should be able to tell you 100%. Your first reference doesn't appear to have any bearing on hunting. It is only defining what firearms are covered and need to be handled through a "Federally licensed firearms dealer". It excludes airguns having a velocity under 700 fps as not needing to be handled through the Federally licensed firearms dealer". Additionally, in the Federal sense, airguns are not firearms by definition, but Illinois seems to have at least some airguns defined as firearms.
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