"the ATA certainly recognizes the airbow to be an innovative piece of shooting equipment, the airbow nevertheless lacks basic components of standard archery equipment (e.g., a string system and limbs). For this reason, the ATA does not consider airbows to be archery equipment. In addition, the airbow (unlike archery equipment) is not subject to federal excise tax, the basic funding mechanism for state wildlife agency activities, which means no portion of the proceeds from airbow purchases contribute to the state wildlife conservation activities supported by Pittman Robertson funds – at least not to the ATA’s knowledge. As a consequence, airbows do not appear to be treated as archery equipment by the Internal Revenue Service or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." Archery Trade Association Issues Position Statement on Airbows - Deer & Deer Hunting | Whitetail Deer Hunting Tips
Rightfully so. Crossbows are where the line should be drawn. Anything further away from traditional archery equip should not be considered.
An air gun is an air gun. The type projectile shouldn't be the determining factor for classification. Gunpowder = firearm Limb/string = archery Compressed gas = air gun Elastic string/solid limb = sling shot
I think that's the right call. It's certainly a cool idea but I typically only use or buy something that has a purpose and I just can't find a reason as to why I'd need or want one. If I want to shoot a projectile using a trigger I'll use a gun, if I want to fling an arrow I'll use a compound or traditional bow. It's the same reason I don't use crossbows and why I still use a finger tab when shooting a compound. To each their own, that's just how I roll.
Not a bow, no interest at all in ever getting one. I have no problem if someone wants to use one to hunt with but it should be in general firearms season only.
What about muzzle loader season? Seems to me it's closer in loading style, range and accuracy to that than anything else.
In 1939 the P-R Act added an 11-percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. The tax is built into the cost of the equipment and is paid by the manufacturers of arms and ammunition at the wholesale level. The P-R Act has been amended a number of times over the past 75 years to expand funding sources. In 1970, a 10-percent tax was levied on pistols and revolvers, with the caveat that half could be used for hunter safety programs. In 1972, bows, arrows and their parts and accessories were added to the program at the 11-percent rate. In 1984, crossbows were also included in the mix. Im not aware of air rifle purchases being included in P_R funding.
Page 5 of the documents for the FWS says Funding Source for the Wildlife Restoration Program Wildlife Restoration program funds come from manufacturer excise taxes collected by the U.S. Treasury and deposited in the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund. The Service’s Wild life and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) administers the Trust Fund. Once collected, the funds are distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies for eligible wildlife restoration activities. The manufacturer excise taxes include: 10% tax on pistols, handguns, and revolvers; 11% on firearms and ammunition; and 11% tax on bows, quivers, broadheads, and points. https://www.fws.gov/budget/2013/PDF Files FY 2013 Greenbook/24. Wildlife Restoration.pdf
