Texas Parks and Wildlife to consider allowing suppressors for hunting

[Shadillac1]

Just found this... Next week Item 2 on the Agenda for the Regulations Committee. Interesting...

The proposed amendment to §65.11, concerning Lawful Means, would allow the use of firearm silencers to hunt alligators, game animals and game birds. Under current rule, the use of sound-suppressing devices to hunt alligators, game animals or game birds is unlawful. The department has determined that there is no resource- or enforcement-related reason to prohibit the use of firearm silencers for the take of alligators, game animals or game birds, and therefore proposes to eliminate the current prohibition. The department notes that if the proposed is adopted, it will not relieve any person of the obligation to otherwise comply with any applicable state, federal, or local law governing the possession or use of firearm silencers. The proposed amendment also alters §65.11(3) to include additional counties to the applicability of the provisions governing the use of crossbows. This change is necessary to ensure consistency with the changes to §65.42 discussed elsewhere in this preamble.

[Rstrelec]

Can't say I agree with the idea. Not sure there would be a large percentage of hunters willing to spend the money on the tax stamp and suppressor. Not to mention the PITA they are to use/maintain. And that brings me to the crossbow. They opened crossbows up to all hunters here in NC last year and every jackleg ran out and bought one thinking that bow hunting just became as easy as rifle hunting. Before the season ever started Craigslist had great deals on brand new, hardly used crossbows. Didn't take long for the masses to realize it involved an entire different skill-set, which wasn't easier than the effort needed to effectively hunt with a bow. It will ruin archery season for the first year but after that it will drop off quickly.

[local16]

I've alwaays agreed on allowing crossbows for handicap hunts but that's it

[rednecktech]

I think that would be great. Would definately benefit those who have to protect what little hearing they have left. I hate hunting with headphones on these days, but the last time I shot a rifle without ear protection I was half deaf for days afterwards. Wished Alabama would do this.

Looking at the other side of the coin, I can see reasons why it isn't allowed. The main one being night hunting, but there are others. Think what all you could get away with if nobody heard you shoot.

[Cable Dog]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by local16 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I've alwaays agreed on allowing crossbows for handicap hunts but that's it </td></tr></table>

Agreed, 100%

[mikepags]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by rednecktech &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Think what all you could get away with if nobody heard you shoot. </td></tr></table>

That and at least hearing gun shots warns you that someone is shooting somewhere...........been a few times I have been fishing way up little creeks or rivers and have heard hunters blasting away that caused me to back up and fish somewhere else just to be safe

[sclark]

I was understanding that federal law prohibits the ownership of a muzzle silencing device, unless you have a class three firearms license . . .

[Alan S]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by sclark &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I was understanding that federal law prohibits the ownership of a muzzle silencing device, unless you have a class three firearms license . . .

</td></tr></table>

It's not illegal, just a long drawn out process. Only slightly less than an FFL.

[ksucody]

Kansas now allows the use of silencers for deer hunting. Anybody can buy a silencer if they purchase a federal tax stamp, the cost is 200$. Then you pay for the silencer. I think it would be nice to use a silencer when hog hunting. That way when a group comes in, they all won't run off after a shot.

[hunt22-250]

Sure would make it easier to shoot them out of the truck window at night.

[Fiddlefarter]

Make it better to shoot things all the time. I can't figure why it's such a big deal anyway. Poachings gonna happen anyway. Noise doesn't stop it now. (occasionally it may influence it but still) I think they should scrap the tax stamp BS and make sound suppressor mandatory on hunting rifles. Make the woods peaceful... I want one for a 10/22 but don't want to shell out the $$$ for it. I'd just like to be able to shoot quietly.

[bgibson53]

The PETA protestors will never know where the shot came from.

[Gambler Bob]

I am thinking that this new rule, would not be good for many reasons.

[Dbl00CustomBaits]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by sclark &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I was understanding that federal law prohibits the ownership of a muzzle silencing device, unless you have a class three firearms license . . .

</td></tr></table>

To just have to get a $200 tax stamp then you can legally buy a suppressor.