Airbow Legal States 2026

Several states allow game animals like whitetail deer to be hunted with airguns and airbows. These states are Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. North Carolina also allows whitetail deer to be hunted with an airbow, but only during firearm season.

Other states allow airguns and airbows to be used for non-game animals. Florida, Georgia, and Texas allow hog hunting with airbows and airguns. Also, airbows and airguns can be used to take coyotes and other varmints in more than 30 states. Georgia and South Carolina even allow alligator hunting with air weapons.

As using airguns and airbows for hunting becomes more popular, many states are likely to allow these weapons for hunting. Several states have passed legislation recently that allows hunting with air weapons. Airbows remain fully prohibited for most game hunting in many states.

Why Airbows Are Illegal in Some Jurisdictions

There is one main reason to explain why there are still not that many airbow legal states. Many people, state legislators included, still think of airsoft rifles when they hear people talking about airguns. Airsoft rifles are not designed for hunting or humane harvesting of wildlife. People who aren’t up to date with the developments in air weapon technology aren’t aware that new and extremely powerful air weapons have been developed. These weapons can humanely harvest animals as large as a hog or a deer.

As more people hunt with air weapons and more states legalize this practice, legislators in many other states will realize that hunting with air weapons is humane. It is necessary for states to regulate the usage of air weapons to ensure that only airbows and airguns designed for hunting are used.

Restrictions on Using Airbows

All states that do allow hunting with air weapons have regulations that are designed to ensure that game is harvested humanely. These regulations vary somewhat from state to state, but the most important points are always similar. Some states require a minimum projectile size, often .30 caliber or larger, for hunting game animals. These regulations apply to deer hunting, turkey hunting, and hunting for other game animals.

These regulations do not apply to hog hunting, as hogs are not considered to be game animals. However, it is a good idea to use a .30 caliber (or larger) air weapon when hunting hogs. Most states do not require hunters to use a specific type of air weapon, but pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) weapons are the most popular. These weapons use compressed air to fire pellets.