I have to say this thread has been an entertaining one to read. I believe airguns are great tools in any hunter's arsenal, but hearing people's rational against the use of airguns is always interesting to me. I think the way to think of it is inverting the argument for small bore...i.e. rename the thread "Why use small bore pcps over Firearms" or even "Why use Firearms over Airguns" or "Why bows are better than airguns" and ad infinitum. My point being every tool in a hunter's arsenal has a purpose subjective to that individual. I might prefer a .25 Escape for cayote hunting while my friend Billy likes to use a firearm and my other friend Ashley likes to use a Crossbow. The rational for one tool vs another is always subjective to the hunter, and any arguments against one specific tool like an airgun being used for big game or small game is usually made from either fear, ignorance, or just a subjective, qualitative preference.
Just my 2 cents,
-Atlas