Pellet gun

[wabow]

This would be the key sentence:

• Hunt game birds or game animals with
anything other than a firearm, a bow and
arrow, or by falconry.

So, since air rifles are NOT considered to be a firearm, according to the law, they are not legal to hunt game birds or game animals. Just like a sling shot is not legal for grouse. Another law that doesn't make sense but the law is the law.

There is a written rule or law that the F&G sites if you ask them whether or not you can use a air gun. Its not in the regs. I'll see if I can find my letter if not I'll get another.

Don

[bobcat]

I'm not doubting you Don. The laws aren't always exactly as they have them written in the regulation pamphlet. I'm just going by what I've read in the pamphlet, but as it says on page 9, it is only a summary of the actual WAC's. It would be great to see the actual law that applies to hunting with air rifles, if you can find it.

[Hillbilly270]

so if Air Guns/Rifles are NOT firearms, why did my brother in law get arrested for illegal discharge of a firearm in city limits?  got handcuffed and all.

[Curly]

so if Air Guns/Rifles are NOT firearms, why did my brother in law get arrested for illegal discharge of a firearm in city limits?  got handcuffed and all.

Probably because the police don't know all the laws either.........

[BIGINNER]

so if Air Guns/Rifles are NOT firearms, why did my brother in law get arrested for illegal discharge of a firearm in city limits?  got handcuffed and all.

HEY I GOT ARRESTED FOR THE SAME THING,.... WELL HANDCUFFED AND PUT THE THE COPCAR.   SAT A LITTLE UNTILL THE OFFICERS WERE DONE TALKING,  THEN THEY RELEASED ME..

[Bob33]

For what it's worth, I emailed Sgt. Anderson of WDFW Enforcement in Olympia this afternoon.  I asked him "are air guns illegal for hunting in Washington?"

His reply: "Hi Bob, Yes air rifles are illegal for hunting in WA."

[270Shooter]

For what it's worth, I emailed Sgt. Anderson of WDFW Enforcement in Olympia this afternoon.  I asked him "are air guns illegal for hunting in Washington?"

His reply: "Hi Bob, Yes air rifles are illegal for hunting in WA."

Then I've been breaking the law for a long time

[brett123]

For what it's worth, I emailed Sgt. Anderson of WDFW Enforcement in Olympia this afternoon.  I asked him "are air guns illegal for hunting in Washington?"

His reply: "Hi Bob, Yes air rifles are illegal for hunting in WA."

Then I've been breaking the law for a long time

lots of birds died round the farm from the old crossman

[270Shooter]

Yeah the Beaman has killed quite a few birds out of my orchard.

[509er]

My Gamo is hell on starlings.  Got mine cheap at Walmart.

[sako223]

There is a big difference between nuisance non game birds/animals or depredation vs. hunting game animals.
One surprise is that you are required to obtain a permit to kill robins during depredation. I think the permit was only good for 25 birds.

[bobcat]

Robins?  Depredation of what?

[wabow]

For what it's worth, I emailed Sgt. Anderson of WDFW Enforcement in Olympia this afternoon.  I asked him "are air guns illegal for hunting in Washington?"

His reply: "Hi Bob, Yes air rifles are illegal for hunting in WA."

I just got off the phone with them. You must be more liked than me. I just got the normal auto reply stating we will get back to you within 5 days. I just talked to 5 different people at F&G enforcement from oly all the way over to district one. They all say the same and consulted each other. If the game is unregulated meaning no bag limit/managed or is a varmit like a rat or mole there is no weapons restriction but you need a license. All stated they would probably ticket if you were shooting coyote due to their larger size and lack of weapon power to make a clean kill. Sounds to me like they need to get their story straight.
The director of the olympia office states that although the regs state one thing there is no rcw to go along with the regulation thus is subject to interpretation lacking enforcement. They will have a letter on their stationary typed and printed for me to pick up clarifying the rule. I will ask if I can scan and post it online when I pick it up later this week or next.

Don

[sako223]

Robins?  Depredation of what?

Robins are hell on cherries. they will sit and take a peck out of most cherries in reach ruining many times what they consume.
You have to get a permit from the USDA. Can only guess that this is because the robin is a state bird down south.

[FC]

I use a red-ryder-carbine-lever-action! On a more serious note, the RWS I used to have was incredibly accurate with enough power to through a 2x4, it had an adjustable trigger too. http://www.umarexusa.com/product/RWS-Model-34,13,43.htm

It was probably the most fun gun I have ever owned.