Big Bore Air gun Hunting with Rossi Morreale, host of American Airgunner

January 14, 2021

A whole new facet of hunting is on the verge of breaking through and it comes from an unlikely source - air guns. Although widely used in other countries for years, the popularity of air guns in the U.S. didn't begin to gather any kind of real significant traction until a few years ago. Part of the reason for this lack of interest could be preconceived notions about what air guns are and what they are capable of. Air guns are often thought of as kids or youth guns, and those models do exist, however the market for air guns is much larger and much more diverse. Join The Revolution this week as Rossi Morreale, host of American Airgunner on Sportsman Channel, stops by the show to talk all things air guns.

Almost all 50 states allow hunting small game and coyotes with air guns right now, however big game hunting is more restrictive. Rossi says he anticipates more states moving toward adopting big game hunting with air guns in the next five years and also thinks it's quite possible that states could create special seasons for air guns just as they do for muzzleloaders and archery equipment. Why would a hunter want to use an air gun instead of a traditional firearm? Rossi says there are several reasons, but first notes that it's not about replacing firearms, but rather creating another avenue for people to get outdoors and have fun. A big reason for the increased popularity in air guns is that they aren't loud like traditional firearms and that is advantageous in more ways than one. First, it's better for a shooter's hearing, but secondly, in cities and towns where there are no-discharge ordinances or excessive noise ordinances, air guns often meet the criteria to skirt these laws. Another reason why many are turning to air guns is for the challenge. Archery hunting gained a lot of momentum quickly with hunters turning to it for a new and enhanced challenge and air guns provide that as well. Air gun hunters have to be able to get within close range of the animal like bowhunters do, plus they need to be skilled marksmen in order to make the very precise shots needed to ethically kill an animal. Another factor driving curiosity around air gun hunting is the world of big-bore air rifles, or anything larger than .25 caliber. These big-bore air guns certainly aren't your basic backyard plinking guns, they have a serious amount of power. In fact, they have more power than a black powder rifle, Rossi says, or the air guns that shoot arrows which are more powerful than any archery setup. At the top of the heap is the .50-caliber air gun that has been shown effective when taking deer, American bison and more. Rossi talks about the .50 caliber Umarex Hammer he used to shoot a great Scimitar Oryx.

Listen in as Rossi highlights the upcoming season of American Airgunner on Sportsman Channel - Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET. He'll also explain how to select the right air gun for your needs and discuss Iguana hunting in Florida with air guns.

Trav

Rate this item

(38 votes)

Travis Ferguson

Trav is a small town kid driven by hunting, fishing, rock/honky-tonk music, cold beer and his wife and kids. Being raised in a rural area surrounded by wildlife and lacking the luxurious amenities of big city life might be challenging to some; however, to Trav, it was an utter blessing. From his inception on, Trav has spent his life outdoors, he was taught at a very young age to hunt and fish and over the years these skills have molded him into a self-sufficient outdoorsman that strives to live a sustainable and God fearing lifestyle. When Trav isn’t behind the mic he’s either in the woods or on the water sharing his passion and love for the outdoors with his family and friends. So, don't bother searching for him online and you couldn’t pay him to own an iPhone, but let me reassure you of this: If there’s hunting and fishing, cold beer on tap and shaving isn’t required, he’s certainly not too far. What you see is what you get with Trav and to sum him up is simple, he doesn’t ask for a lot and he’ll never need much, a rifle, a bow, the love of his good looking wife and to be all that his children will ever need!

More in this category: « Adriana Armstrong of “Grace, Camo and Lace” Winter DIY Weights & Molds with CatDaddy »