If you love hunting, you may consider using an airbow for the next season. Apart from being easier and safer to use than hunting guns, it is fun to use too.
This is not to say you should head straight to a hardware shop for an airbow if you haven’t used one before but to let you know there are other fun ways of hunting. You can also get one for your sports shooting and archery games if you wish.
But remember to get some trainings on how to use an airbow safely if you are new to it.
But before you go on to pick one for yourself, you need to find out if airbow is legal in your state or not. That is, you need to know if it is allowed to be used in the part of the United States you live in.
All the same, let’s find out what an airbow is and how it works before we go ahead to find out airbow legal states.
What Is Airbow?
An airbow is a kind of an air gun. But instead of shooting out pellets it shoots out arrows. So you can look at it as an air gun that is used to shoot arrows.
You can also look at airbow as being close to a crossbow except that you won’t find a bow on it. Airbow is like a rifle. It has all the components of a gun, with barrels and all. But when you pull the trigger, what comes out is an arrow and not a pellet or a bullet.
In case you are wondering why it is called an airbow, the thing is that it is powered by compressed air. That is, when you pull the trigger, the air trapped and compressed within a cartridge-like air tank will launch it and give it speed to move faster and hit the target.
Let’s find out more about this hunting gear and we proceed to discover its legal status in all the states in the United States.
How Does an Airbow Work?
Using an airbow may look tricky at first but when you get used to it, you will find out it’s a simple equipment to load and launch.
So, here are a few things to understand about how airbow works.
- First of all, as said earlier, airbows have no strings, bows, or any form limbs you can use to launch the arrows. So they are not like the traditional bows and arrows you find in archery games, where you have to draw back arrows with strings and then launch them by releasing the string.
- Airbows contain air tanks that you have to charge with compressed air before you can shoot. Some shooters use scuba tanks, hand pumps, or any other charging system to do that.
- This air tank serves as a reservoir for storing compressed air and you can only refill it once. If well filled, it can shoot up to 8 arrows or more.
- You can tell the pressure of compressed air in the air tank by checking the air gauge or monitor at the tip of the reservoir.
- You load the arrows by sliding them over the metal tube at the top of the gun. You can only load the arrows from the front. Make sure they click into place before trying to shoot them.
- The air pressure in a fully charged air tank can shoot an arrow at a speed of 450 feet per second or more (some shoot up to 800 feet per second), which is higher than the crossbow and, of course, traditional bow and arrow. This also means the impact of the shot is higher. Always bear this in mind while using the weapon.
- Like the firearm, you have to cock your airbow before firing.
- You can only load one arrow at a time.
How to Use your Airbow
You can use your airbow like you do with other firearms. Remember, it’s a kind of air gun but it shoots arrows and not pellets.
So, here’s the simple step you have to follow:
- Charge your air tank with compressed air from your power source. Remember, you can use a hand pump, scuba tank, or any other charger that comes with the airbow.
- Load your arrow and click it into place.
- Cock your airbow.
- Shoot.
- Reload. Shoot again.
- Retrieve your arrows and repeat.
Well, that’s just it. It’s that simple. But a user manual will tell you all these and more. So look for it and read it thoroughly.
Why You Should Have an Airbow
If you are into hunting and you need something with more accuracy and higher speed, you should consider getting an airbow.
It’s also easier to use because you don’t need to apply the level of physical strength and energy the traditional bow and arrow and a crossbow require. So, if you feel your arms and shoulders are not strong enough for archery, trying using an airbow.
Another thing here is that if you want to hunt or shoot without the noise of the firearms, you should go for an airbow.
Caution while Using Airbow
It’s true that using an airbow is fun but you have to remember that it’s still dangerous. If it can injure an animal while hunting, it can also injure humans in cases of mistakes.
So, before shooting your targets, always have a clear view to be sure there’s nobody close or that would come within the range when you launch. And don’t use it in a crowded area or on the street even if you’re pro.
And, of course, remember to read the user’s manual before coupling and shooting the arrows. If you’re not conversant with this tool or you are new to archery, look for professional instructors and coaches to guide you.
Always play it safe.
Airbow Legal States
You have seen how amazing an airbow is and discovered why you should have one. But you also need to know if it is legal to own and use one in your state.
Currently, airbow is completely legal for hunting all game animals in Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Maryland, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.
In five other states, you can use it to hunt specific animals. These states are Florida (hog hunting), Georgia (hog hunting), Texas (hog hunting), South Carolina (alligator hunting), and North Carolina (all game animals during firearm season).
If your state is not on the list, you may need to ask the local authority for the latest update on the legal status of airbow in your state.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Airbow is an amazing weapon to have for hunting and other recreational activities. However, you have to apply caution while using it. You also need to be sure it is legal in your state before purchasing and using one.