Since no one seems to believe it, here is the letter that was sent to WDFW enforcement officers in July 2010. Hunt with them if you wish....
To All,
Over the past few months, I have been asked by several different Hunter Education Instructors about whether or not it is legal to use “Pellet Guns” for hunting? The reason that I am sending this to the field, is that again, I have had several of these instructors say that they have had a “mixed bag” of responses from our officers (Yes, No & Maybe) during the classes when this question has come up. So, I want to make sure that everyone has the right answer and gives a standard uniform response when they are at a Hunter Education class (or are asked in the field).
The answer is; “No” pellet guns are not legal to hunt with and this comes from two sources;
WAC 232-12-047
Unlawful methods for hunting.
(1) It is unlawful to hunt any big game with:
(a) A fully automatic firearm.
(b) A centerfire cartridge less than 22 caliber for cougar.
(c) A centerfire cartridge less than 24 caliber for any other big game.
(d) A shotgun, provided that a 20 gauge, or larger shotgun, using shells loaded with slugs or buckshot size #1 or larger, may be used to hunt deer, bear, and cougar.
(e) A shotgun for any other big game, except that a 12 gauge or 10 gauge shotgun using slugs may be used.
(f) A handgun during a modern firearm season that does not meet the following criteria: Have a minimum barrel length of four inches, per manufacturer's specification, and fire a centerfire cartridge.
(g) Any rimfire cartridge.
(2) It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
(3) It is unlawful to hunt game birds or game animals, except bullfrogs, in a manner other than with a firearm, a bow and arrow, or by falconry, except in those designated areas where crossbows are allowed.
(4) Rules pertaining to crossbows:
(a) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a crossbow with a draw weight less than 125 pounds, a limb width less than 24 inches, a draw length less than 14 inches, and a trigger safety that does not work properly.
(b) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow or bolt measuring less than 16 inches in length and weighing less than 350 grains.
(c) It is unlawful to hunt game animals or game birds with a crossbow that weighs more than 15 pounds.
(d) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow or bolt that does not have a sharp broadhead and the broadhead blade or blades are less than seven-eighths inch wide.
(e) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a broadhead blade unless the broadhead is unbarbed and completely closed at the back end of the blade or blades by a smooth, unbroken surface starting at maximum blade width and forming a smooth line toward the feather end of the shaft, and such line does not angle toward the point.
(f) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with a retractable broadhead.
(5) Hunters with disabilities may use a crossbow with a special use permit as conditioned in WAC 232-12-054.
(6) It is unlawful to hunt game animals or game birds with a shotgun larger than 10 gauge.
(7) It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a rifle or handgun, with the exception of blue grouse, spruce grouse and ruffed grouse.
(
A violation of this section is punishable under RCW 77.15.400, 77.15.410, or 77.15.430, depending on the species hunted.
And;
RCW 9.41.10 defines a firearm:
(7) "Firearm" means a weapon or device from which a projectile or projectiles may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder.
A pellet gun does not utilize an “explosive” to fire the projectile, it is fired by compressed air so it is not a firearm.
Thanks & Be Safe,
Sgt. Eric Anderson
WDFW Enforcement
Olympia, WA