[learnin']

Hello, everyone. I started shooting slingshots late last summer, and my hope was to be able to hunt with them. Unfortunately, I've since learned that Virginia (my state) does not allow that. I'm planning to work to change that, but in order to make my case I'm hoping to identify which states DO allow slingshots to be used for some type of hunting, whether nuisance species, small game, or whatever.

I've searched the web, and I've found partial information on this, including a thread or two on this forum. It seems like these threads always get derailed, so I was hoping to renew the effort and try to do it in an organized way. If the moderators would see fit to sticky this thread, that would prove to be very useful I'm sure. I would also ask the moderators to please see fit to leave this thread in the General forum so that it can get as much traffic as possible until the results are in.

I'm hoping with the diverse membership here that we could compile a complete list. All it will take is for one person from each state to be willing to contact his state's DNR or locate the information on the web. Just one person from each state and we can get this done in short order.

To keep it organized and succinct for those who are searching for this information in the future, please adhere to the following rules:

1. Look through the thread and see if an answer has already been given for your state. No need to duplicate the information.

2. List your state.

3. If not legal for any type of animal, simply state NOT LEGAL at the top of your post.

4. If legal in any way, please state what IS and what IS NOT legal. Also, if you can provide a link, please do so. If you know FOR A FACT because you spoke with your DNR but do not have a link, go ahead and post the info and state VERIFIED BY DNR.

5. PLEASE DO NOT POST COMMENTS THAT DON'T DIRECTLY ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. Let's keep this list short and as clear as possible.

Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

*** I would like this list to be for USA only, please. ***

 

[learnin']

VIRGINIA

NOT LEGAL (not listed as an approved hunting weapon in the Code of Virgnia 29.1-519).

 

[Charles]

Your request is reasonable, so I will pin this ... at least for a while.

Cheers ..... Charles

 

[Henry the Hermit]

Texas - not on the list of approved hunting weapons.

 

[zippo]

Please move to hunting section.

 

[Something0riginal]

California- supposedly a legal method of take for non-game and non-fur bearing non-protected animals. so if you want to eat a sparrow its legal. Honestly, when searching the web i found resounding agreement that california laws are retarded and youd do best to break em all just like the locals do I might just start carrying sculpey or plastic ammo around for everyone who feels a need to remind me of these stupid laws

 

[Nicholson]

The last time I checked with fish and game, in Alaska I could take any game with a slingshot. This was a couple years ago, how can I double check to see if things changed with the slingshot hunting law in Alaska barring going to fish and game again for the answer?

 

[learnin']

The last time I checked with fish and game, in Alaska I could take any game with a slingshot. This was a couple years ago, how can I double check to see if things changed with the slingshot hunting law in Alaska barring going to fish and game again for the answer?

Would you mind calling them? http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=contacts.main

A verbal response from them would be nice, but maybe they could point you to somewhere online that we could link to for reference?

 

[wyosasquatch]

Wyoming:

Any weapon is allowed to take small game (per the regulations https://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/imgs/QRDocs/REGULATIONS_UPSMGMTURK_BRO.pdf page 7).

Upland birds need to be taken with a shotgun either muzzle loading or centerfire.

Turkeys are not allowed.

Blue and ruffed grouse are allowed with any weapon (I have used a slingshot, .22 pistol, sticks, rocks, .270 Winchester). This last bit is per the local game warden. The regulations are a bit murky on this because they specifically state that a hunter must use a shotgun on birds with the exception of turkeys, blue and ruffed grouse. It says that each species section of the regulations will specify what weapons can be used. The turkey section spells it out very clearly. The blue and ruffed grouse does not refer to what you can or cannot use. One warden said this was written so elk/deer hunters could hunt with a handgun during their seasons. He should know, he was on the commission that set up these regulations. Another game warden said he would write a ticket because it doesn't say you can take grouse with a slingshot. I pointed out that it doesn't say you can't. He paused thoughtfully and said that he would have to think about this one. I haven't heard back from him on this. Until I hear otherwise, I am going to continue to hunt grouse with a slingshot.

I like to carry the slingshot along with a .22 rimfire handgun for grouse. I like the slingshot because it is extremely quiet in dispatching grouse and does not alert the elk and deer to your presence.

Sasq.

 

[Beanflip]

Kansas
Rabbits hares and squirrels are legal.
http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/content/download/2106/9861/file/R-03-02.pdf

Rabbit season
http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/content/download/2087/9804/file/R-25-02.pdf

Hare season
http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/content/download/2088/9807/file/R-25-03.pdf

Squirrel season
http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/content/download/2090/9813/file/R-25-04.pdf

Links found here: http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/Services/Law-Enforcement/Regulations/Small-Game
Other Wildlife as defined here: http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/Hunting/Hunting-Regulations/Other-Wildlife

 

[Nobodo]

http://slingshotforum.com/topic/2226-slingshot-hunting-by-state/

 

[learnin']

ALASKA

LEGAL FOR SMALL GAME.

Here's the reply to my e-mail to their DNR:

"Here is the link to our regulations http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/wildliferegulations/pdfs/general.pdf. In Alaska, slingshots are legal for small game hunting, not for big game. The way our regulations work for something like this is, if it's not listed as restricted or illegal, then you can use the weapon for hunting. So, you won't find any information mentioning slingshots, but they are legal. When you look at our regulations, most of the information for this will be on page 18 and 19. Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions."

 

[learnin']

CALIFORNIA

LEGAL FOR NONGAME MAMMALS AND ENGLISH HOUSE SPARROWS.

http://californiaoutdoorsqas.com/2012/02/02/slingshot-hunting/

Common nongame mammals ("varmint" is not a term used in Fish and Game law) that may be taken include coyotes, bobcats, opossums, ground squirrels and orange-belly marmots. Take of bobcat requires possession of a bobcat tag (CCR Title 14, section 478.1).

 

[learnin']

ARIZONA

LEGAL FOR THE FOLLOWING

Coati, Cottontails, Crow, European Starling, House Sparrow, Jack Rabbits, Rodents (excluding beaver, muskrat, and porcupines), Tree Squirrels, all upland game birds and Eurasian collared doves

http://www.azgfd.gov/regs/mainregs.pdf

 

[learnin']

ALABAMA

LEGAL FOR SMALL GAME AND NUISANCE SPECIES. The only birds allowed are starlings, blackbirds, and sparrows.

For details see paragraph 220-2-.02 of Alabama Regulations 2014-2015: http://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/default/files/2014-15%20Complete%20Reg%20Book%20LE%201st%20proof%20%2011-13-14.pdf

My e-mail correspondence with the DNR is below:

DNR: Slingshots are allowed to hunt some small game such as rabbits and quail. You can go to outdooralabama.com, click on hunting, scroll down to regulations game, fish and furbearers, click on that, then scroll to pages 29-31. Paragraph 7 on page 31 addresses slingshots.

ME: Am I correct in interpreting "Other game birds and animals" as meaning anything not identified in paragraphs 1-6, including nuisance species such as rats, starlings, sparrows, etc.?

DNR: Yes anything not in 1-6. Under Alabama regulations all birds are protected except starlings, blackbirds and sparrows.

 

[learnin']

HAWAII

NOT LEGAL*

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/huntered/files/2013/05/MammalHuntingRegs_Chap123.pdf

"(10) No person shall possess or use tracer bullets, bullets with full metal jackets, blow guns,

guns powered by compressed gas, handguns, animal traps, slingshots, crossbows, poison,

explosives, or snares. Legal game mammal hunting weapons include rifles, shotguns,

handguns, bows and arrows, and spears and knives. Only weapons that are authorized for

the particular hunt are to be in the hunter's possession, while on the public hunting area."

*I'm not clear on whether that applies only to public land or to private land as well.

 

[learnin']

COLORADO

LEGAL FOR SMALL GAME ANIMALS AND BIRDS

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/smallgame.pdf

 

[learnin']

Thanks to those who have contributed so far

I could really use some help with this. Even if your state has already been done, please consider researching another state (online, phone call to DNR, etc.) and posting your findings here.

 

[Urban Fisher]

Texas - not on the list of approved hunting weapons.

Man this sucks!!! I have checked the regs and I didn't see where it was illegal, more that slingshots were just not mentioned. I figured in a state where it is almost encouraged to carry a gun and they don't allow hunting with slingshots!!..That's just crap!

 

[learnin']

KENTUCKY

NOT LEGAL

http://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Documents/1415huntingguide.pdf

Top of page 21.