A question on hunting laws - California

fast14riot

fast14riot

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Oct 27, 2010
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First, let me preface this post with: I will seek official legal council and advice through a lawyer or appropriate agent of the law before proceeding.

Now, just to make sure my thinking is correct, I am looking to do some small game hunting on BLM land that is restricted shotgun and archery only. Now I WILL ask a dfg agent as well, but I am looking to use an airgun on these lands. My thinking is the restriction is primarily to keep long range capable firearms off these lands due to residential areas being adjacent. Air guns are a legal method of take in California and are not considered firearms (penal code 16520) so I believe that such a restriction might not include air guns. Sound logical? Worth calling Sacramento about? Anyone else ever run into this?

Mods, sorry if this should go into the laws sub forum, wasn't sure since it is hunting related.


-Xander
 
Yeah, that's all fine and dandy, but I've read through all the regs and can't find anything about clarification on restricted method of take areas. Also, it is legal to use lead airgun pellets in California Condor range under 6mm caliber. But I think I am going to have to make some calls to Sacramento on Monday or maybe my local field office.

I also don't know if USACE which owns the particular area I want to go, would be controlling in the matter. They seem to have tentacles deep into many areas one would not think they would go.


-X
 
Some of those higher end pellets are a bit faster (and louder) and are lead free.

I didn't notice if they came in larger than .177 at most places. Sorry I am no help on your original question.
 
Lead free pellets typically aren't any good. There are a few decent ones, but most are pretty bad.

I spoke with a warden yesterday about the areas I want to hunt. He told me that the one area run by USACE would be under their authority and interpretation of their restrictions. I will call them on Monday. But, the other area I wanted to try I was informed that it is unlawful to use airguns in :(. So, there's still hope that the Army will interpret it different.

-Xander
 
When they want to "blanket guns of every kind", here in Western NY State, they say "no discharge of firearms" within (fill in the blank). Any firearm. Including BB guns & pellet guns. If you can shoot & kill anything with it, it is considered a firearm. I can not even legally shoot my BB gun in my town.

My suggestion is to get it in writing first, video if possible. When interpreting things, they are usually interpreted that they are right & you are wrong. At least that has been my personal experience. Budget cuts everywhere these days. Job justification is running rampant these days. Someone is always wanting to generate more revenue. Latest one i know is: pickup trucks towing trailers. If the GVWR of the trailer is more than the truck is rated for---ticket time---even if it does not actually weigh nowhere NEAR the actual max rating at time of stop. Such is the case with my toy hauler. Weighs 5800 lbs empty, yet tag says 11,220 lbs Max GVWR. That is a HUGE difference. Mine has never exceeded 10,500 (what my truck is rated at) when fully loaded with OUR gear. Usually more like 9500 lbs.Plus, it can be different for different states. I have seen all too often, RV sales people telling owners "oh yeah, you can easily tow that with your truck". Can tow, should tow & legally tow are 3 different things. People who are not "in the know" about safe hauling are hoodwinked far too often in this area, by those "experts." Also, laws, rules & regulations are always changing. What was legal last month may be illegal the next. It is easy for someone to say "i never said that". Not so much when on video.
 
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