After initially approving air guns and air bows as a legal method of take for big game during a meeting back in March, some members of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission apparently had second thoughts about their decision and delayed final rulemaking on the issue.

Since then, the question of using air guns for hunting big game has been in limbo. However, the Commission again has the issue on its agenda for an upcoming meeting in Austin on Aug. 22-23, so we may finally be nearing a resolution on that subject.

As previously reported back in May, the TPW Commission discussed the topic in more detail and heard input from air gun industry representatives at their meeting on May 24. While they appeared to make progress, the commission members did not make a final decision regarding air guns.

Instead, they formally rescinded the rule initially approved back in March and directed TPWD Wildlife Director Clayton Wolf to come up with new proposal for hunting big game with air guns that contains minimum bullet weight and muzzle energy requirements in order to reduce the chances of hunters wounding and losing game with air guns.

The rules initially approved by the commission back in March established a .30 caliber minimum for air guns when hunting big game (deer, javelina, turkey, etc.) and .177 caliber minimum for hunting squirrel, quail, pheasants, and chachalaca. However, those rules did not specify a minimum bullet weight, muzzle velocity or muzzle energy for air guns or air bows.

As directed, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff put together a new proposal for hunting with air guns and published it in the Texas Register on July 20. The new rules still contain .177 and .30 caliber minimums for hunting small and big game respectively. However, they also contain several new provisions in line with the guidance given by the TPWD Commission in May.

First, only air guns using a pre-charged gas system would be legal for hunting big game (i.e., no pump action air guns would be permitted). This particular requirement would not apply for hunting squirrels or nonmigratory upland birds other than turkey.

Second, the rules would establish a minimum bullet weight of 150 grains and a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or "any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity producing a minimum muzzle energy of 215 foot-pounds" for hunting big game. The rules also stipulate a minimum muzzle velocity of 600 feet per second for hunting squirrels and upland birds.

Third, the proposed new rules stipulate that all hunters born after Sept. 1, 1971, would need to complete a department-approved hunter education course in order to hunt any species with an air gun.

Texas Parks and Wildlife is currently taking comment on this new proposal through 7 a.m. on Aug. 22. You can also attend the public hearing in person at 9 a.m. on August 23 at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Commission Hearing Room in Austin.