While it's true that last year was when the law was changed to allow air rifles to be used to take game in Texas, this year is more less first-year that it is being used.
Big Bore air rifles are a fairly new addition to a lot of states and many of the game wardens are still learning about just how they operate and the methods methodology of these big bore air rifles.
I think the most important advice that you can take to heart is to be prepared to discuss your air rifle and how it passes your regions laws and regulations for hunting game.
Know the facts not just speculation more importantly know where those regulations are located in the handbook do not attempt to use even this forum as proof that it's okay to use that gun the only rules and regulations that the game warden is going to want to see is from his States and regions regulations.
I'd rather have a handbook handy or have pictures of the relative regulations on your phone so that you can show them to the game warden. And be prepared to discuss them in an intelligent and respectful Manor understand that these guys are out there to do a job! One in my personal opinion that is very important as such we as ambassadors of The Airgun Nation need to be able and willing to assist the game wardens in learning how these big bores and game hunting air rifles work and pass those regulations.
Here is an example of a small kit that I carry to show a game warden in case I am questioned about my hunting rifle.
I use Hunter supply slugs and so I have a screenshot of the slug that I use saved on my phone that gives me the information page about that slug which includes it's weight and it's calculated foot-pounds of energy using and airforce Texan the same gun that I hunt with.
I also have both a printed version of the regulations for air rifles and a picture of those regulations on my phone along with that I also have a chrony sheet showing the speed of my gun. If you do not have a chronograph sheet showing the speed of the bullets that you're going to use to hunt with, you are not prepared to go hunting with that gun. We all know the manufacturer's tricks of the trade of showing high speed low weight shot strings so you need to actually know how that gun is performing before you take it out to hunt large game.
Some states airgun hunting isn't something that's brand new, but again in the state of Texas it is a new sport that not only are we still trying to learn all of the rules and regulations, but the game wardens are also doing so with a fairly large handicap and that many of them have never even held a big bore air rifle, little own shot one. Don't be offended by the fact that your local game warden may question the feasibility of using these big bores to take down large game. Just as importantly don't try to bull**** your way out, these guys are trained to recognize that, and all you will do is dig yourself in a hole, if you don't know the answer be honest tell him or her you don't know the answer,
Due to the fact that I had a deer get tangled up in barbed wire fence yesterday and following our state's recommendations of contacting a game warden I was able to not only discuss the use of the air rifles but to put one in his hand and let him see how they operate, he freely admitted that he knew nothing about them only the black and white print of what is or is not allowed I took the opportunity to show him different links and websites that he and his fellow officers can use to learn more about these are rifles.and invited him and his fellow officers to come out to the range anytime they would like and actually shoot them.
Please always remember to be an ambassador for The Airgun Nation not only will this make it easier for you but it makes it easier for all your fellow airgunners keep it real guys have fun and be safe.
