Airbow Legality in United States

Thirteen states currently permit the use of airguns and airbows for hunting purposes, including the pursuit of game animals such as whitetail deer. These states encompass Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. It is noteworthy that North Carolina also allows hunting of whitetail deer with airbows, albeit exclusively during the firearm season.

2. Thirteen states currently permit the use of airguns and airbows
for hunting purposes, including the pursuit of game animals
such as whitetail deer. These states encompass Alabama,
Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. It is
noteworthy that North Carolina also allows hunting of whitetail
deer with airbows, albeit exclusively during the firearm season.

Moreover, select states extend the utility of airguns and airbows
for the hunting of non-game animals. Notably, Florida, Georgia,
and Texas sanction the use of these weapons for hog hunting,
while more than 30 states authorize their deployment in the
pursuit of coyotes and other varmints. Of particular interest,
Georgia and South Carolina have also granted approval for
alligator hunting using air weapons.

The growing popularity of employing airguns and airbows for
hunting suggests that a number of states may follow suit and
incorporate such practices into their hunting regulations. In
recent times, several states have enacted legislation to permit
hunting with air weapons. Nevertheless, it is essential to
emphasize that, for the majority of the country, the use of air
weapons in hunting remains prohibited by law.

3. State Legality Notes Restrictions Regulations
Alabama Allowed
Misconceptions due to
association with airsoft
rifles.
Minimum projectile size of
.30 caliber required
for hunting game animals.
Alaska Not Allowed
Arizona Allowed
New, powerful air
weapons designed
for humane animal
harvesting.
Hog hunting not subject to
these regulations,
but .30 caliber or larger air
weapon recommended.
Arkansas Not Allowed
California Not Allowed
Colorado Not Allowed
Connecticut Not Allowed
Delaware Not Allowed
Florida
Have
Restrictions
Allow hog hunting
with airbows and
airguns.
Lack of awareness about
advancements
in air weapon
technology.
Most states do not specify a
particular type of air
weapon,
but pre-charged pneumatic
(PCP) weapons are
commonly used.
Georgia
Have
Restrictions
Allow hog hunting
with airbows and
airguns.
Hawaii Not Allowed
Idaho Not Allowed
Illinois Not Allowed
Indiana Not Allowed
Iowa Not Allowed
Kansas Not Allowed
Kentucky Not Allowed
Louisiana Not Allowed
Maine Not Allowed
Maryland Allowed
Massachusetts Not Allowed
Michigan Not Allowed
Minnesota Not Allowed
Mississippi Allowed
Missouri Allowed

4. Montana Not Allowed
Nebraska Not Allowed
Nevada Not Allowed
New
Hampshire Not Allowed
New Jersey Not Allowed
New Mexico Not Allowed
New York Not Allowed
North Carolina
Allowed during
firearm season
North Dakota Not Allowed
Ohio Not Allowed
Oklahoma Allowed
Oregon Not Allowed
Pennsylvania Not Allowed
Rhode Island Not Allowed
South Carolina
Have
Restrictions
Permit alligator
hunting with air
weapons.
South Dakota Not Allowed
Tennessee Allowed