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ArsonLt · New Member

Down here in FL, there is a county ordinance that in effect says that you can't discharge a BB/Pellet/Sling shot at or threaten any animal with it.

But State hunting laws say that certain animals such as crows, squirals, and starlings for example can be taken any time, and are not protected.
There is not specific wording about caliber of weapons, it appears you can use anything. Other game has limitations on weapons used.

Years ago, there was a Carrying a Concealed Weapons law that said if you took a course, background, and were not prohibited from owning a firearm you could apply and receive the permit. This county however said that you had to apply to the county sheriff or county commission for permission to carry once you got a permit, and it was mosty denied. That issue was overturned in court.

I seem to remember there was a court issue, that in effect said that State laws take precidence (spelling) over county ordinances. I called the state wildlife office, and a secretary(?) told me I couldn't shoot any animals with a Pellet gun. But I could with a shot gun or 22 or bow or whatever.

Does anyone have any knowlegeable ideas on this? This is Pinellas County where there is still alot of places north county to hunt or shoot. Target practice is not limited by any ordinance.

Thanks,

jeff

thepaladin · Senior Member

No such law in TN, I don't know about your situation. We have a list of what can be hunted with air guns and what can't (any small game may be, pest birds may be, no game birds may be etc.).

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

Apparently you can't airgun hunt there according to what you've posted. I don't know what else there is to say about it.

Slavia · Moderator

I had a chat with a DNR person about this just a few weeks ago.

In Minnesota, you have to use a firearm to hunt protected species (i.e., animals covered under the hunting laws). Unprotected species can be taken with an airgun. This means animals like rats, skunks, gophers (not the UM football team), rabbits causing damage in your garden, etc.

All but a handful of states have pre-emption clauses that cause state laws to supercede local laws. In Minnesota it's set up so that the state reserves the right to regulate sales, ownership, etc. Local jurisdictions can regulate the discharge of firearms and airguns.

In my town there is a law against the discharge of airguns anywhere within the city limits, period. The way it's worded, anyone with a 10 meter range in their basement is out of compliance (although I'm sure enforcement is not a priority). I had to go to the city council to get the law changed so my 4H group could shoot in their building at the fairgrounds.

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

I wasn't aware that airgun hunting was even a regulated thing until I looked closer into the hunting regulations in my state for specific animals. For squirrels it did specify that pneumatic guns (airguns) were allowed, which I was amazed by. Other species were allowed to be hunted by things like bows and arrows and FALCONS, but not airguns...which I thought was a little strange, and biased.

My opinion is that it doesn't matter what you use to hunt something, since hunting regulations are to A) raise money for the state, and B) insure that animal populations remain at healthy levels. So what does it matter if you hunt them with a bow or a pellet gun? The animal still dies and the state still gets its money.

dummyracer36 · Senior Member

back in april of this year i moved from missouri to florida. and it is my understanding (get conflicting answers depending on who is taking questions that day) that in florida it is unlawful to take any animal, regulated or otherwise, with an airgun. this even includes rats. i was told by a florida fish and wildlife officer to use poisons or traps the deal with rats in the yard, that i could be fined for even taking aim at one with my airgun!!! i'm not liking this state more and more..... shoulda never sold the building in st louis to move here!

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

dummyracer36,

Keep in mind that people will be people (pardon the cliche'). If you call up a woman or a person who doesn't like airguns or thinks they are stupid, then OF COURSE they will respond to your question in a negative way, even if that is not what the actual law says. Sometimes no is the easiest answer so that's what they'll tell you. Why say "Yes, but...(and then go into a long explanation)" when instead you can just say "No." and then leave it that?

Also, they may not actually know the law. Laws are complicated and filled with minutia. And a lot of times they are vague and the lawmakers never even thought to address "airgunning".

That being said, who's to stop you from airgun hunting. Yeah, I wouldn't recommend flagging down a Game Warden and saying "Watch this!" and then shoot a bald eagle in front him with your airgun. But if your in the field with your airgun and keeping a low profile, then I'm sure you can do what you want and it'll be a no harm/no foul type situation.

dummyracer36 · Senior Member

i just found it interesting that they would recommend to me to use such indiscriminate methods as poison or traps! at least when i'm shooting rats, thats what i'm shooting... if a spotted owl happened to come by, i sure wouldnt take aim, but traps or poisons certainly might... oh well... you make a good point... what they dont know.....

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

That's the whole point. If it doesn't make any sense then why should you abide by the rules?! Rules should serve a purpose. And if they don't then they are meant to be broken. At least that's how I see it.

What does it matter how you kill your prey? Especially when the alternatives are a more dangerous and/or less effective way?

No offense to you Floridians, but I lived in Florida for a while and I don't know if there's something in the water down there, but....Let's just say I wouldn't want some of those people to be shooting airguns at anything, let alone living things. There are responsible people out there, but then you get some redneck kid to shoot his neighbors dog with a pellet gun and then they have to pass laws making illegal to aim guns at animals. It's a shame, but that's why people here try to encourage responsible use of airguns, so that we don't muck it up for each other and future generations.

cw · Banned

Wow, that's horrible. I guess that I have it made up here in Washington.
Up here they encourage airguns and discourage traps and poisons
for the reason that you stated, they are not selective in what they
kill, which is anything unfortunate to enough to ingest or come in
contact with it.

kanyon · Silver Status Member

Hi.. talk about over regulated..Over here we can shot anything with anything as long as its not protected and it dosen't suffer. Rat with a 308 or a deer with a BB gun if you were dumb enough to try.
About the only game we have a session for are duck.

Yer poor buggers

Jaxom · Senior Member

I can see why some weapons are banned in certain areas. For example, in my state there isn't any rifle hunting allowed...for anything, including deer, have to use shotgun. But that's because of population density and projectile range.

Slavia · Moderator

Same here - southern Minnesota is shotgun/black powder; the sparsely populated north is rifle.

thepaladin · Senior Member

Blood just shot out of my eyes. Another member of a shooting forum who "understands" the government being responsible for gun bans", I suppose because "We the People" just can't be trusted and we need nanny gov to take care of us.

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

We should put our faith in the government. Just like we put our faith into our banks to safeguard our money. Jerk It