Deer hunting in NC .357 or .45+

[SenseiSmash]

Good afternoon AGN,

I have a Benjamin bulldog that has a power spring in it and thats about the extent of the tune. I purchased it about 2 years ago with the intent of hunting deer in NC and SC.

I have recently recieved some conflicting info about legally using it to hunt deer in NC.

I reached out to someone local in NC to get pricing on a power tune and was told I cant use it to hunt large game in NC and that I should consider a different rifle. 

Does anyone in here hunt deer in NC with air?

What are you using?

 

[Blackpaw]

@senseismash I do not know for sure on if air rifles are or not allowed. From what I read it IS allowed, depending on how you read the regulations. Here is what I found on page 54 of the current NC regulations, I highlighted what I found for rifles, see screenshot. Also, I posted a link to the regulations and an air rifle regulations sight.

NC General Hunting rules: https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/21NCAB-LR.pdf

Airgun Eregulations: https://airgunlaws.com/north-carolina-airgun-laws/

 

[napairgunner]

Notice how black power rifles are defined but the same is not done for "rifles" meaning the assumption would be air rifles are not considered "rifles" since I am sure very few fish and game in any state even know about big bore air rifles. From what I can see here unless air rifles or certain caliber of ammunition is expressly forbidden you should be fine.

 

[Blackpaw]

Just to add, fortunately my home state of Idaho clearly defines what caliber and power level is needed for each type of big game animal. If you use Idaho’s definition you should be fine, maybe, power wise. If you need 45 cal, use a minimum of 350 ft/lbs at the muzzle. Better to air on the side of overkill for NC whitetail.

 

[SenseiSmash]

Thanks everyone. Leaning towards a seneca .50 thats been single tube power tuned.

Or I also spoke with someone thats parting with a .457 Texan.

Anyone that chimed in here that hunted large game with either. Sounds like the .50 was producing close to 400 fpe.

The Texan .457 is stock but has taken quiet a bit of large game

Thanks again for the feed back.

Thank God for AGN

 

[Bandhunter]

I could have sworn there were rifle caliber restrictions for deer in the past in NC. In particular with rim fire. That is no longer the case based on the regulations today. As long as its not during archery or muzzleloading season you are good. My understanding is that air bows are not allowed during archery season. Let us know how you do this season. I mostly bow hunt for deer.

 

[SenseiSmash]

I could have sworn there were rifle caliber restrictions for deer in the past in NC. In particular with rim fire. That is no longer the case based on the regulations today. As long as its not during archery or muzzleloading season you are good. My understanding is that air bows are not allowed during archery season. Let us know how you do this season. I mostly bow hunt for deer.

That was my understanding as well but as stated above there's conflicting info. The links when I click NC just show what you can and can't hunt and with what. I cant find anything on air rifle caliber. I have this pic i attached and it clearly shows you can hunt but not with what, when I go to firearms it says .357