WEST virginia legislature

2022 second extraordinary session

ENROLLED

House Bill 210

By Delegates Hanshaw (Mr. Speaker) and Skaff

(By Request of the Executive)

[Passed April 25, 2022; in effect from passage.]

AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §20-2-5k relating to permitting the use of air rifles when hunting; permitting a person use an air rifle to hunt when properly authorized to hunt under an existing stamp; setting forth criteria for when an air rifle may be used to hunt game in this state; setting caliber limits for air rifles when hunting certain types of game; and providing limitations on air rifle use.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES.

§20-2-5k. Use of air rifles to hunt. 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, any person lawfully entitled to hunt may hunt with an air rifle during small game and big game firearms season: Provided, That air rifles may only be used for deer hunting in counties open to firearm deer hunting.

(b) An air rifle may not be substituted for a muzzleloader during any muzzleloader season or during the Mountaineer Heritage season.

(c) No person may be afield with an air rifle and bow, or with an air rifle or any arrow at the same time.

(d) No person may hunt with an air bow at any time.

(e) Any person hunting with an air rifle is subject to all other rifle and firearm hunting regulations according to this chapter and rules promulgated thereunder.

(f) Only air rifles meeting the following specifications may be used for hunting big game:

(1) No person may hunt big game with an air rifle of less than .45 caliber and with a bullet of less than 200 grains, except that wild turkey may be hunted with an air rifle of .22 caliber or larger.

(2)  No person may hunt small game with an air rifle of less than .22 caliber.

(g) Air rifles may be shot within 500 feet of a dwelling.

The Joint Committee on Enrolled Bills hereby certifies that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.

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        Chairman, House Committee

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                             Chairman, Senate Committee

Originating in the House.

In effect from passage.

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                  Clerk of the House of Delegates

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                                                  Clerk of the Senate

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                                                   Speaker of the House of Delegates

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                                                                                     President of the Senate

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      The within ................................................... this the...........................................

day of ..........................................................................................................., 2022.

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                                                                                                Governor