Grouse in BC with an air pistol?

L

Lexthedestroyer

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Abbotsford, BC
Anybody know if this is legal? If the velocity is under 500fps, it's not technically a firearm... Ideally I'd like to pack a little semi-auto .22lr along with my deer rifle in the event I run into a grouse, but I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon... A .22 cal air pistol shooting 4-500 fps second could be just the ticket...
 
It is legal in Ontario... we hunted grouse and hares for more than 30 years with airguns... mostly Sheridan C9 .20 pneumatic air rifles and Benjamin HB20 pneumatic air pistols... a few others used were Benjamin CB20 and CB22 CO2 pistols, Crosman MKII C02 pistols in .22 cal, Benjamin Discovery Pre-Charged pneumatic rifles...

We have shot thousands of grouse and hares with these with virtually zero wounding loss... sight in and practice with your gun, learn its trajectory and only take head shots. Our current pack guns during moose hunts are Benji HB22 pistols with Interarms Air Venturi mounts and Bushnell red dot sights... we either carry them in our packs or over our chests in a bandolier holster.
 
...too funny...hunted moose in Maine a few years when I worked there...could carry a rimfire handgun and high power rifle...potted many grouse at the end of the day heading back to camp...if you have to think about something more than a few seconds to make a decision you've made it way too complicated...most hunters aren't going to take a pop at a moose with a .22...
 
I'd give it a try if it were legal here in Quebec, but muzzle velocity has to be at least 500fps which would make the air pistol legally a firearm and a restricted one at that.
 
I don't know the BC regs... but in Ontario, a pistol under 500 fps is not a firearm... it is a "toy"... so is not considered a pistol with regard to the fish & wildlife act... but would be considered a firearm in certain firearms act sections or the CCC... but hunting small game with one is legal. Once you surpass 500 fps it becomes a pistol and requires an ATT and can only be used at a range and may not be hunted with.

P.S - a 14.3 grain pellet travelling at 490 fps is more than sufficient to cleanly harvest grouse and hares.
 
Hoakster said:
I can't believe they let grouse carry air pistols in that crazy province.
That's just irresponsible.
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Lol...Too funny. think of the children. I actually know a guy named Quakenbush...ya that family. $3K + high powered air rifles capable of taking big game. But still illegal in BC.

Something that would be legal would be something like a cricket..kids gun shooting 22 CB or short...or a old Cooey in a single shot 22 short. Stuff like that would be really light, portable, and cheap to buy.

I think you are doing what i do...over thinking something.
 
Around this area with the elongated winter and heavy wet spring, me pense the grouse eggies are far and few between.
Costco bulk pack chicken thighs and legs could very well be in order for my freezer to help the lack of feathers 'round here.
 
Mr. H. I tremble at your lack of understanding, please re-read the O.P. question, he quite clearly is inquiring as to whether those of us in BC would support a change to the hunting regs. to permit ditch chickens to carry air pistols to enable them to hunt, it is not yet on the books :)

Hoakster said:
I can't believe they let grouse carry air pistols in that crazy province.
That's just irresponsible.
Click to expand...
 
In Ontario pellet guns are the only hunting we can do with a handgun, let’s hope one day they allow us rim and centerfire again. They will take down any grouse or rabbit that walks by on your big game watch.
 
kamlooky said:
Around this area with the elongated winter and heavy wet spring, me pense the grouse eggies are far and few between.
Costco bulk pack chicken thighs and legs could very well be in order for my freezer to help the lack of feathers 'round here.
Click to expand...

We had excellent winter survival and a good spring up here, I was pumped because last season was also an excellent one. We had a really heavy storm right around hatching period. My neighbour has seen two broods and they only had one or two thumb sized chicks in each. Not the best indication. Unfortunately nearest Costco is 230 miles away. Yes, the grouse are fully aware of their rights in BC and know they are allowed to fight back with any means at their disposal. Back in far simpler times I used to pack a Crossman Air pistol with me which I may have had occasion to use in areas where one wished for quiet. They can be effective but it is illegal practice in BC to do this.
 
Thanks for all the insight guys, thought I may have come up with a logical workaround, but it would appear that the powers that be have thought of everything :rolleyes: might just have to grab a slingshot then... although I like the idea of a shorty single shot .22...
 
A Cricket or a Savage Rascal sized .22 may be an alternate solution in your scenario but still won't be compact for carry. Something like a CCI Quiet @ 710fps makes less noise than an air rifle.....I have taken pairs of Grouse with this ammo without spooking the 2nd bird in the process.
 
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