In the June-July 2022 issue of Ballistic Magazine, we take a look at the revolutionary new Umarex AirSaber Elite X2. This double-barreled bad boy slings a 376-grain arrow to the tune of 450 fps. Yeah, it’s legit. If you’re a hunter at heart, you’ll for sure want to check out the full review (see issue link below). But that brings up some serious questions beyond the technical. For one, where the heck is it even legal to use this thing?
Arrow Airgun Legal States
We here at Ballistic want to make sure you’re always on the up and up. Stay clear of breaking any game laws. Be smart, and follow this guide to see a list of states and regs for said states where you can hunt with an arrow-shooting airgun. Note of caution: game laws can and do change annually. Be sure to check all local and state game laws each season before you head afield.
Texas
Pretty much everything is fair game in Texas, but these have to be hunted during modern gun season.
- Mule Deer: Pre-charged pneumatic airguns must fire a projectile of at least .30 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces muzzle energy of at least 215 foot-pounds of energy. Arrow-shooting airguns cannot be used during archery season.
- Turkey: In eastern counties, shotguns only. Otherwise, pre-charged pneumatic airguns must fire a projectile of at least .30 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces muzzle energy of at least 215 foot-pounds of energy. Arrow-shooting airguns cannot be used during archery season.
- White-tailed deer: Pre-charged pneumatic airguns must fire a projectile of at least .30 caliber in diameter and at least 150 grains in weight with a minimum muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second or any combination of bullet weight and muzzle velocity that produces muzzle energy of at least 215 foot-pounds of energy. Arrow-shooting airguns cannot be used during archery season.
Florida
- White-tailed deer: Firearms seasons, .30 caliber or larger, PCP and propelling a single projectile (bullet or arrow). We recommend at least .35 caliber.
Georgia
- Black bear: .30 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns) only during primitive weapons hunts/primitive weapons seasons and firearms seasons.
- Turkey: .30 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns—shooting broadheads).
- White-tailed deer: .30 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns—shooting broadheads) only during primitive weapons hunts/primitive weapons seasons and firearms seasons.
South Carolina
South Carolina DNR considers airguns to be rifles and lawful for hunting in South Carolina where it is lawful to take an animal with a rifle and the airgun meets the applicable caliber restriction. Arrow-shooting airguns do not fit the definitions of archery or crossbow equipment in the South Carolina code (50-11-565) or the South Carolina hunting regulations. However, arrow shooting airguns do fit the definition of a rifle and would be legal as a rifle assuming all of the rifle caliber restrictions apply. Airguns may not be used during any “primitive weapons only” season because they do not meet the criteria for a primitive weapon as defined by law and regulation. This applies to both private lands and Wildlife Management Areas (public hunting lands).
North Carolina
Arrow-shooting airguns do not fit the archery equipment definition and are not allowed during archery seasons. However, arrow-shooting airguns can be used during firearms seasons. Airguns do not fit the primitive weapon definitions.
- Black bear
- Whitetail
Tennessee
Regulations specifically state that arrow-shooting airguns that use a PCP power platform can be used during any firearm season.
- Beaver: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns).
- Black bear: During firearms season only—.35 caliber and larger—PCP only (including arrow shooting airguns).
- Bobcat: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns).
- Coyote: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns).
- Crow: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Elk: During firearms seasons only—.35 caliber and larger—PCP only (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Fox: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Groundhog: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Mink: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Muskrat: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Opossum: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Otter: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Raccoon: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Skunk: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- Weasel: .25 caliber or smaller and .35 caliber and larger (including arrow-shooting airguns)
- White-tailed deer: During firearms season only—.35 caliber and larger—PCP only (including arrow-shooting airguns)
Arizona
- Bighorn sheep: .35 caliber or larger and PCP—including arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
- Bison: .40 caliber and larger, PCP only capable of generating 500-foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Also includes arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/broadheads 7/8 inches or greater).
- Black bear: .35 caliber or larger and PCP—including arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
- Coues deer: .35 caliber or larger and PCP—including arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
- Elk: .40 caliber and larger, PCP only capable of generating 500 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. Also includes arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads7/8 inches or greater).
- Javelina: .35 caliber or larger and PCP— including arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
- Mountain Lion .35 caliber or larger and PCP— including arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
- Mule Deer: .35 caliber or larger and PCP— including arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
- Pronghorn antelope: .35 caliber or larger and PCP— including arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
- Turkey: Arrow-shooting airguns, PCP only and capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
- White-tailed deer: .35 caliber or larger and PCP—including arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 250 feet per second (w/ broadheads 7/8 inches or greater)
Utah
- Bighorn sheep: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
- Bison: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
- Black bear: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
- Elk: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
- Moose: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
- Mountain goat: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
- Mule deer: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
- Pronghorn antelope: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
- White-tailed deer: Firearms season only, arrow-shooting airguns only, PCP only, must shoot arrows at 400 fps or faster.
Virginia
- Regulations state that rifles (including air rifles) can be used to take wild animals and wild birds (except for migratory game birds and waterfowl and where prohibited by local ordinances). Arrow-shooting airguns are also legal for the take of wild animals and wild birds (except for migratory game birds and waterfowl and where prohibited by local ordinances). Arrow-shooting airguns are not allowed during archery season.
Maryland
Maryland regulations define airguns as a gun that propels a projectile using non-ignited compressed air or gas. The projectile may be a bullet, arrow or bolt. Arrow-shooting airguns are legal during firearms seasons.
- Black bear: .40 caliber or larger and produce at least 400 ft pounds of energy at the muzzle. Airguns that shoot an arrow must be capable of producing at least 300 fps arrow speed and shoot an arrow that is at least 18 inches long and have a broadhead tip that is at least 7/8 inches wide.
- Turkey Spring season—arrow-shooting airguns only. Fall season—airguns and arrow shooting airguns.
- White-tail deer: During Firearms and Youth seasons. .40 caliber or larger and produce at least 400 ft pounds of energy at the muzzle. Airguns that shoot an arrow must be capable of producing at least 300 fps arrow speed and shoot an arrow that is at least 18 inches long and have a broadhead tip that is at least 7/8 inches wide.
Indiana
- White-tailed deer: PCP, .40 caliber or larger, capable of producing 400 foot-pounds of energy or greater. Arrow-shooting airguns capable of producing 300 fps or greater. During youth, firearms and deer reduction zone seasons only.
Read the full review of the Umarex AirSaber Elite X2 in the June-July 2022 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Get your copy now at OutdoorGroupStore.com.
