Airgun Hunting by State: Approved Game & Regulations
Airgun hunting offers a unique blend of challenge and accessibility, but the rules and approved game species vary significantly across states. Whether you’re targeting squirrels, rabbits, or larger game, understanding your state’s specific regulations is critical to ensuring a legal and ethical hunt. Each state’s Wildlife Management Division sets guidelines to balance conservation efforts with hunting opportunities, and these laws can change seasonally. Before loading your airgun or heading into the field, always consult your state’s official wildlife agency for the most up-to-date information on permitted species, caliber restrictions, and hunting zones. By staying informed, you not only comply with the law but also contribute to sustainable wildlife management. Prepare responsibly, respect local ecosystems, and embrace the adventure of airgun hunting within your state’s legal framework!
Always verify details with your state’s Wildlife Management Division—regulations may evolve, and compliance ensures both safety and conservation success.
Alabama
- Coyote
- Game Birds
- Opossum
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Raccoon
- Squirrel
- Wild Boar
|
.25 caliber and smaller. |
|
.30 caliber or larger (we recommend .35 caliber or larger PCP) |
The primary difference between .30 caliber and .35 caliber is the diameter of the projectile, with .30 caliber being 0.30 inches and .35 caliber being 0.35 inches. For hunting Whitetail Deer, a .35 caliber or larger PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) air rifle is recommended due to its superior energy transfer and stopping power. Whitetail Deer are medium-sized game, and a larger caliber ensures a more humane and effective kill by delivering greater kinetic energy and creating a larger wound channel. This reduces the risk of wounding the animal without a clean kill. Additionally, .35 caliber pellets typically have higher mass, which improves penetration and accuracy at longer ranges, making it a more reliable choice for ethical hunting.
Alaska
Deleterious Exotic
Ptarmigan
Ruffed Grouse
Small Game
Snowshoe Hare
Spruce Grouse
Arizona
- Blue Grouse
- Cottontail Rabbit
- Pheasant
- Pronghorn Antelope
- Quail
- Reptiles
- Squirrel
- Tree Squirrel
| Badger | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Bighorn Sheep | .35 caliber or larger and PCP |
| Bison | .40 caliber and larger, PCP only capable of generating 500 foot pounds of energy at muzzle. |
| Black Bear | .35 caliber or larger and PCP |
| Bobcat | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Coues Deer | .35 caliber or larger and PCP |
| Coyote | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Elk | .40 caliber and larger, PCP only capable of generating 500 foot pounds of energy at muzzle. |
| Fox | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Furbearers | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Javelina | .35 caliber or larger and PCP |
| Mountain Lion | .35 caliber or larger and PCP |
| Mule Deer | .35 caliber or larger and PCP |
| Predators | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Raccoon | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Ringtailed Cat | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Skunk | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Turkey | Arrow shooting airguns, PCP only. Arrows or air bolts with broadheads only. |
| Weasel | .22 caliber and larger and PCP |
| Whitetail Deer | .35 caliber or larger and PCP |
Arkansas
- Feral Hogs
| Badger | .22 caliber or larger. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Beaver | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Bobcat | .22 caliber or smaller. We do NOT recommend hunting coyote with such small calibers. We recommend at least .25 and as such do not consider this state\'s requirements as ethical hunting. |
| Coyote | .22 caliber or smaller. We do NOT recommend hunting coyote with such small calibers. We recommend at least .25 and as such do not consider this state\'s requirements as ethical hunting. |
| Crow | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Fox | .22 caliber or smaller. We do NOT recommend hunting coyote with such small calibers. We recommend at least .25 and as such do not consider this state\'s requirements as ethical hunting. |
| Mink | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Muskrat | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Opossum | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Quail | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Rabbit | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Raccoon | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| River Otter | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Skunk | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Squirrel | .22 caliber or smaller |
| Weasel | .22 caliber or smaller. We recommend at least .22 for any ethical hunting. |
| Whitetail Deer | .45 caliber or larger and capable of producing 400 foot/pound of energy at muzzle. |
California
- Aoudad Sheep
- Coyote
- Jackrabbit
- Opossum
- Pigeons
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Skunk
- Small Game Squirrel, rabbit
- Sparrow
- Starlings
- Turkey
- Weasel
Colorado
- Badger
- Beaver
- Bobcat
- Cottontail Rabbit
- Coyote
- Dusky (blue) Grouse
- Fox Squirrel
- Gray Fox
- Ground Squirrel
- Grouse
- Hare
- Jackrabbit
- Mink
- Muskrat
- Opossum
- Partridge
- Pheasant
- Pine Marten
- Pine Squirrel
- Prairie Chicken
- Prairie Dog
- Ptarmigan
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Raccoon
- Rattlesnake
- Red Fox
- Skunk
- Small Game
- Snowshoe Hare
- Sparrow
- Squirrel
- Starlings
- Swift Fox
- Weasel
Connecticut
- Cottontail Rabbit Same restrictions as firearms
- Coyote Same restrictions as firearms
- Crow Same restrictions as firearms
- European Hare Same restrictions as firearms
- Fox Same restrictions as firearms
- Gray Squirrel Same restrictions as firearms
- Grouse
- Jackrabbit
- Opossum Same restrictions as firearms
- Raccoon Same restrictions as firearms
- Snowshoe Hare Same restrictions as firearms
- Whitetail Deer
General seasons - same restrictions as firearms
State Land No-Lottery & Lottery Seasons - same restrictions as firearms
Private land rifle / revolver & Free Landowner seasons
Airgun rifles that are .243 caliber or larger. We recommend at least .35 cal
Airgun pistols that are .357 caliber or larger
- Wild Birds
- Wild Quadrupeds
- Woodchuck Same restrictions as firearms
Delaware
| Gray Squirrel | Between .17 and .22 caliber only w/ rifled barrel |
| Pheasant | Between .17 and .22 caliber only w/ rifled barrel |
| Quail | Between .17 and .22 caliber only w/ rifled barrel |
| Rabbit | Between .17 and .22 caliber only w/ rifled barrel |
Florida
- Alligators
- Armadillo
- Beaver
- Bobcat
- Coyote
- Feral Hogs
- Game Birds
- Gray Squirrel
- Iguana
- Nutria
- Opossum
- Otter
- Rabbit
- Raccoon
- Skunk
- Sparrow
- Squirrel
- Starlings
| Turkey | .20 caliber or larger, PCP and propelling a single projectile (bullet or arrow) |
| Whitetail Deer Firearms seasons. | .30 caliber or larger, PCP and propelling a single projectile (bullet or arrow). We recommend at least .35 cal. |
Georgia
- Armadillo
- Feral Hogs
- Furbearers
- Small Game
