Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hunting Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee endorses allowing air rifles for big‑game hunting, leaves technical standards to Fish and Game rulemaking
Summary
A proposed change to permit certain air rifles for hunting advanced from committee after sponsors described range testing; Fish and Game and the bill sponsor said the department should set muzzle‑energy or performance thresholds in rule rather than by fixed caliber numbers in statute.
A sponsor introduced House Bill 2211 to allow the regulated use of high‑powered air rifles for hunting certain big game and to give the Fish and Game Department authority to set equipment standards in rule. The sponsor told the committee his study group tested rifles at a ballistics range and recommended a performance‑based standard measured in foot‑pounds at the muzzle rather than a simple caliber threshold.
"The amount of foot pounds generated at the muzzle is the determining factor, and that is to be set in rules depending on the game being hunted by Fish and Game," the sponsor told the committee, noting tests of larger calibers produced penetration similar to muzzleloaders.
Fish and Game staff and the department's colonel reported they initially had concerns about lethality, multiple‑shot performance and temperature effects, but that range testing and manufacturer briefings alleviated several of those concerns. Colonel Kevin Jordan said the department and commission changed their view after hands‑on testing and recommended rule authority so the department can set appropriate thresholds: "We would recommend that we start with a 35 caliber with 400 at least 400 foot‑pounds on deer and bear and then 45 for moose," he said as an illustrative starting point for rulemaking.
Committee members asked about accuracy and effective range. The sponsor said most of the committee's test shots were taken at about 50 yards and compared the rifles favorably to muzzleloaders for the typical hunting scenarios in the state.
The bill also allows Fish and Game to create an air‑rifle tag similar to a muzzleloader tag so the department could recover costs if air‑rifle hunting became widely used and required enforcement resources; sponsors said the department did not expect immediate need for a tag but wanted the option.
The committee moved HB 2211 out as "ought to pass" and approved the measure on a voice vote/consent. The committee emphasized that equipment performance standards will be set by Fish and Game rulemaking rather than fixed calibers in statute.
Why this matters: The change would expand permissible hunting equipment and could affect enforcement, licensing and the department's workload; the department and sponsors said rule authority will allow the state to adjust technical requirements as technology evolves.
Votes at a glance: Committee reported HB 2211 as "ought to pass" on voice consent.
