Mike Pearson
New member
Originally Posted By: greydogShot a deer with a AIR GUN?????????????? Is that even legal in any state in the Union??? If bullet placement is not important then just use a 155MM Howitzer. You only need to be close then.
Actually, it IS legal to use some of the larger bore PCP airguns on deer (.45, .50). Google search the matter and you'll find any number of articles on the use of big-bore airguns on big game up to and even exceeding the size of deer. Heck, search this forum and you'll find hunters who hunt successfully with these types of airguns. Still, I take your point. The type of airgun my friend used is NOT allowed in any state to my knowledge. With that said, it has to be emphasized that he was NOT hunting deer. He was dispatching/mercy killing a deer that had ALREADY been hit by a car and beyond the repair of a vet. He did this with the only gun in his vehicle. Be that as it may, I brought it up to make a point. Yes, placement is important...the most important part of bringing an animal down cleanly. Re-read my post, that was emphasized over and over. Still, when talking about the killing/stopping power OF THE CARTRIDGE ITSELF, you're not talking about brain shots anymore than you are non-vital shots. ---- Mike
Actually, it IS legal to use some of the larger bore PCP airguns on deer (.45, .50). Google search the matter and you'll find any number of articles on the use of big-bore airguns on big game up to and even exceeding the size of deer. Heck, search this forum and you'll find hunters who hunt successfully with these types of airguns. Still, I take your point. The type of airgun my friend used is NOT allowed in any state to my knowledge. With that said, it has to be emphasized that he was NOT hunting deer. He was dispatching/mercy killing a deer that had ALREADY been hit by a car and beyond the repair of a vet. He did this with the only gun in his vehicle. Be that as it may, I brought it up to make a point. Yes, placement is important...the most important part of bringing an animal down cleanly. Re-read my post, that was emphasized over and over. Still, when talking about the killing/stopping power OF THE CARTRIDGE ITSELF, you're not talking about brain shots anymore than you are non-vital shots. ---- Mike
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