Pellet Guns and PAL

[Hondroid]

I don’t think anyone will be able to answer this question accurately but here goes.

Grouse season just opened up in my area (60) and I hunt with a 500fps (non PAL) .22 Weihrauch air rifle. I don't have a PAL nor do I want one. Over my 33 years hunting deer and bear with a crossbow, I've been stopped 3 times by CO'S without a problem.

So, how does a CO know if my air rifle is a non PAL air gun? And, no, not every air rifle is stamped nor mandated to be stamped as a sub 500fps I believe.

[trimmer21]

The easy answer is simply by looking it up on the manufacturers website and reading the specs.

[Candice_h]

It should have a name and a model number.

[Gerald]

The easy answer is simply by looking it up on the manufacturers website and reading the specs.

Print the specs and carry them with you.

[Sam Menard]

Print the specs and carry them with you.

Good answer!

[Gun Nut]

I don’t think anyone will be able to answer this question accurately but here goes. <br>
<br>
Grouse season just opened up in my area (60) and I hunt with a 500fps (non PAL) .22 Weihrauch air rifle. I don't have a PAL nor do I want one. Over my 33 years hunting deer and bear with a crossbow, I've been stopped 3 times by CO'S without a problem. <br>
<br>
So, how does a CO know if my air rifle is a non PAL air gun? And, no, not every air rifle is stamped nor mandated to be stamped as a sub 500fps I believe.

<br>

If you are hoping to use the pellet gun on grouse while archery hunting deer or bear, the regulation forbid you from doing so. The out put of the firearm is determined by the manufactures specs. If you check the regulations they have change the rules for firearms that maybe carried during the open gun season of big game, if you don’t have the appropriate big game license. You are now limited to rim-fire firearms, at one point they would allow firearms which had a muzzle energy under 400 ft-lbs. I’ve argued you can reload just about any center-fire firearm ammunition below that spec. The head CO informed me they don’t go by what I might be able to do with a reload, but rather what the manufacturer’s determines is the firearm’s capability. As far as needing a PAL there are two items to take into account, both have to be satisfied one is the muzzle velocity the other is muzzle energy. Hope this is helpful.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

[trimmer21]

Print the specs and carry them with you.

X2. Cuts to the chase and saves a lot of aggravation.

[Hondroid]

Lot of good answers, the only problem is the manufacturer makes the exact same model in a NON PAL and PAL rated version. I have a Weihrauch HW97K in .22 500 fps. The company from BC has gone out of business (SSSO). I had or misplaced the receipt which stated the serial # and the fact its a non PAL air rifle. We have some of the stupidest gun laws in the world to be honest. The whole 'airgun' thing is a total grey area in the law. I see it as it's up to the CO to determine if he 'believes' the pellet gun to be above 500 fps then I'm in a heap of *&^%, which isn't fair. My crossbows are a different story....no one makes a 500+ fps crossbow, so it's a moot point. I'm probably in the very small percentage who hunt small game with an air rifle.

I love Grouse hunting with my air rifle. Got two Grouse last week. No more ringing ears and at my age I need all of my hearing. Maybe a CO could chime in on the issue.

[Sam Menard]

<br>

If you are hoping to use the pellet gun on grouse while archery hunting deer or bear, the regulation forbid you from doing so. The out put of the firearm is determined by the manufactures specs. If you check the regulations they have change the rules for firearms that maybe carried during the open gun season of big game, if you don’t have the appropriate big game license. You are now limited to rim-fire firearms, at one point they would allow firearms which had a muzzle energy under 400 ft-lbs. I’ve argued you can reload just about any center-fire firearm ammunition below that spec. The head CO informed me they don’t go by what I might be able to do with a reload, but rather what the manufacturer’s determines is the firearm’s capability. As far as needing a PAL there are two items to take into account, both have to be satisfied one is the muzzle velocity the other is muzzle energy. Hope this is helpful.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

There’s something off with your the first part of your reply (use of pellet gun during a big game archery season). According to Ontario Regulation 665:
70. A person who hunts deer, elk or moose shall not use or carry a firearm unless the firearm is of a class specified for use during the open season applicable to the species, person and area in Ontario.

77. (1) A person hunting small game, when in an area during an open season in the area for a species of big game, shall not possess or use,
(a) —>a centre-fire rifle; or
(b)—> shells loaded with ball or shot larger than number two shot.
I can’t find anything that prohibits the use of a pellet gun during a big game archery season. What am I missing? Thx.

[trimmer21]

There’s something off with your the first part of your reply (use of pellet gun during a big game archery season). According to Ontario Regulation 665:
70. A person who hunts deer, elk or moose shall not use or carry a firearm unless the firearm is of a class specified for use during the open season applicable to the species, person and area in Ontario.

77. (1) A person hunting small game, when in an area during an open season in the area for a species of big game, shall not possess or use,
(a) —>a centre-fire rifle; or
(b)—> shells loaded with ball or shot larger than number two shot.
I can’t find anything that prohibits the use of a pellet gun during a big game archery season. What am I missing? Thx.

You can't find it because it's not there. I carried a Crossman .22 CO2 "38" revolver in a shoulder holster under my parka for popping Grouse while sitting on Moose and Deer watches,all 100% legal as long as the pellet pistol is below the 500fps threshold. We also need to be aware that Coyote and Wolf hunters hunting during big game seasons are no longer restricted from using C/F rifles without being in possession of big game licenses. The new regs can be found on pg 85 of The Summary. This is really great news for dedicated varmint/predator hunters who hunt year round.