In January of 2018 - even before the Airgun Sporting Association was official - we met with Virgil Moore (who was then Director of Idaho Game & Fish) and learned that they were very interested in legalizing airguns for big game. Over the past year, the idea of allowing airguns for big game hunting in Idaho has gone through a lot of debate/discussion and we now are able to see the return on a lot of work put in by airgun enthusiasts Idaho and neighboring western states. We just learned for one of our Idaho air gunners, Rick O'Neal, that Idaho's 2019 - 20120 Season and Rules Guide for Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat is out - I suspect the guide for elk and deer will hit the streets soon. Page 33 of the guide that is out says: "Any airgun used for big game must use pre-charged, pneumatic power to propel a projectile (excluding shot and arrows) with unignited compressed air or gas and bullets at least thirty-five (0.35) caliber for deer, pronghorn antelope, mountain lion, or gray wolf, and at least forty-five (0.45) caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or black bear. Fish and Game recommends that airguns used to hunt big game animals be capable of producing at least 350-foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle of the barrel.
This is great news for air gun enthusiasts and the Association commends the Idaho Game & Fish for supporting this action.
Keep an eye on the hunting guide map on the Association's website (sponsored by Pyramyd Air) for updates to air gun related hunting regulations across the country.
This is great news for air gun enthusiasts and the Association commends the Idaho Game & Fish for supporting this action.
Keep an eye on the hunting guide map on the Association's website (sponsored by Pyramyd Air) for updates to air gun related hunting regulations across the country.