Louisiana Is Now Open to Hunting Deer with PCPs 2023-2024

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Ezana4CE

Ezana4CE

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Jan 15, 2021
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I don't know how I missed this last season, but according to what I've read the state of Louisiana passed legislation permitting taking deer with PCPs during firearm season in late 2022. The new reg went in effect 2022-2023 season and is still in effect as of June 23, 2024 (source of airgun regulation)!! We are making progress in this facet of our shooting sports. A .30 shooting 150 grain projectile traveling a minimum 800 fps or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces 215 FPE. Arrows/bolts with well-sharpened broadheads are also permitted (REFERENCE THE RED PORTION).

Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Screenshot 2024-06-24 at 1.02.33 AM.png

Source of above photo https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/asset...egulations/2023-2024-LDWF-Hunting-Regs-LR.pdf

I was alerted to this change via Pyramyd AIR's airgun hunting map https://www.pyramydair.com/airgun-map/?hunting=Big_Game#LA
I then consulted the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulations.
 
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Ezana4CE said:
I don't know how I missed this last season, but according to what I've read the state of Louisiana passed legislation permitting taking deer with PCPs during firearm season in late 2022. The new reg went in effect 2022-2023 season and is still in effect as of June 23, 2024 (source of airgun regulation)!! We are making progress in this facet of our shooting sports. A .30 shooting 150 grain projectile traveling a minimum 800 fps or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces 215 FPE. Arrows/bolts with well-sharpened broadheads are also permitted (REFERENCE THE RED PORTION).

Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

View attachment 474631
Source of above photo https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/asset...egulations/2023-2024-LDWF-Hunting-Regs-LR.pdf

I was alerted to this change via Pyramyd AIR's airgun hunting map https://www.pyramydair.com/airgun-map/?hunting=Big_Game#LA
I then consulted the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulations.
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I think that’s great, congrats to the Louisiana hunters who will be able to take advantage of the new laws!

The conspiracy theorist in me does somewhat dread the legitimacy airguns are gaining with regulations though…. I kind of preferred it when everyone thought of them as “red rider“ toys.
 
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BenjaminM said:
…The conspiracy theorist in me does somewhat dread the legitimacy airguns are gaining with regulations though…. I kind of preferred it when everyone thought of them as “red rider“ toys.
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It is my understanding that big-bore air rifles have been legitimate hunting tools for over 100 years and a far cry from toys.
 
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BenjaminM said:
Oh they have since what the 1500’s? I just prefer the general population t think about them as toys that aren’t taken too seriously. Regulations often follow general awareness.
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@BenjaminM I don't know for sure. I have not studied the history of airguns. I've heard things in a few interviews and read posts with stated timeframes and whatnot, but haven't committed much to memory at this point. I realize that the Prussians (I believe) Austrian Army used airguns in warfare, but I was speaking on hunting, so I used 100 years as a safe and accurate timeframe thinking more specifically of the American experience and the role of the air rifle in US history. I prefer that people have factual data and draw their own conclusions about airguns. I hunt and I hunt with airguns. I'm not too concerned if the general populace likes it or not. What most of them eat has to be killed. I prefer to kill my own food and I aim to be law abiding and ethical in the process. If someone has an issue with that it's best we don't interact. As it stands, I can appreciate the way the country is embracing hunting with airguns.
 
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Ezana4CE said:
@BenjaminM I don't know for sure. I have not studied the history of airguns. I've heard things in a few interviews and read posts with stated timeframes and whatnot, but haven't committed much to memory at this point. I realize that the Prussians (I believe) Austrian Army used airguns in warfare, but I was speaking on hunting, so I used 100 years as a safe and accurate timeframe thinking more specifically of the American experience and the role of the air rifle in US history. I prefer that people have factual data and draw their own conclusions about airguns. I hunt and I hunt with airguns. I'm not too concerned if the general populace likes it or not. What most of them eat has to be killed. I prefer to kill my own food and I aim to be law abiding and ethical in the process. If someone has an issue with that it's best we don't interact. As it stands, I can appreciate the way the country is embracing hunting with airguns.
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Largely the same boat here. I honestly do think it’s great that they’re legalizing perfectly ethical ways to make a kill. Awareness is important.

Honestly I’d rather the awareness is there for safety reasons etc. That said I have some acquaintances who fall under a certain political ideology who our interactions go like this: “them: what are you doing? Me: Just shooting my air rifle. Them: that’s cute, like a red rider? Me: Kind of, a grown-up version, you want to try it? Them: Sure, boy that’s fun….but these things really should be regulated like firearms!” Those interactions make me cringe.



I did some reading on the history and it’s a bit murky but there is some air rifle documentation back to at least the 1590’s: https://www.beemans.net/400 Years of Tradition.htm
 
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@BenjaminM Thanks for sharing that. Dr. Beeman has provided good literature over the years. I also like Tom Gaylord's writing. That was a decent overview that you shared. I found an animal type of article (focused on the Girandoni air rifle used by the Austrian army) that I posted on my social feed a couple of days ago. However, I'm interested in reading about airguns used for hunting throughout history. The point that Dr. Beeman makes about the expense of producing them leads me to believe that just as today, airgun shooting sports consisted of very small communities around the world and people with more than average means were procurers of air guns, not all of them appeared to have been hunters (the popularity of the air cane in Great Britain supports my idea here). Most were likely European or descendants of Europeans that moved across the planet as kingdoms and countries competed for territory and resources via colonization. Anyhow, if anyone comes up with sources to documentation on the history of hunting with air rifles, I'd love to read it. Please post it or better yet PM me links to the information or publication(s). It is my hope that more states follow a similar models used in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, and Maine.
 
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Ezana4CE said:
@BenjaminM Thanks for sharing that. Dr. Beeman has provided good literature over the years. I also like Tom Gaylord's writing. That was a decent overview that you shared. I found an animal type of article (focused on the Girandoni air rifle used by the Austrian army) that I posted on my social feed a couple of days ago. However, I'm interested in reading about airguns used for hunting throughout history. The point that Dr. Beeman makes about the expense of producing them leads me to believe that just as today, airgun shooting sports consisted of very small communities around the world and people with more than average means were procurers of air guns, not all of them appeared to have been hunters (the popularity of the air cane in Great Britain supports my idea here). Most were likely European or descendants of Europeans that moved across the planet as kingdoms and countries competed for territory and resources via colonization. Anyhow, if anyone comes up with sources to documentation on the history of hunting with air rifles, I'd love to read it. Please post it or better yet PM me links to the information or publication(s). It is my hope that more states follow a similar models used in Texas, Idaho, Alabama, and Maine.
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Yes the history is fascinating, all these years later we are still battling try to keep dry air in our guns…
 
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