Airguns used to be synonymous with BB and pellet guns. Many of us learned our shooting skills with these inexpensive rifles, which could be shot in our backyard, or perhaps even in the garage or basement.
Today, technology has transformed the small-caliber plinker into a powerful weapon sufficient to hunt deer, wild bore, and black bear.
Hunting celebrities such as Jim Shockey have been testing big-bore rifles in recent years with sufficient success to move the practice from experimental stage to consumer use. Syracuse.com has the story.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comment on proposed hunting regulations changes that would allow the use of “big bore” air rifles for taking big game (deer and bear) at certain times and places in the state beginning next fall.
“The popularity of air-powered firearms is growing largely because of technological advancements,” said Acting DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “These modern firearms produce the force necessary to efficiently harvest big game animals. In addition, because big bore air rifles are not as loud as convention rifles or shotguns, allowing their use may make hunting more acceptable in locations of higher human densities, including areas where deer are overabundant.” … [continued]
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Photo: Crosman
