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HB491 • 2025

Game and fish; remove an exception for use of air guns to hunt wildlife

Game and fish; remove an exception for use of air guns to hunt wildlife

Firearms
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Chastain, Johnny
Last action
2025-05-14
Official status
House Date Signed by Governor
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official bill title confirms the removal of air gun exceptions for wildlife but does not detail specific changes to catfish regulations beyond stating they are revised.

HB491: Changes to Rules on Hunting with Air Guns and Catching Catfish

This law removes the exception that allowed people to use air guns for hunting wildlife in Georgia and updates rules about catching catfish using a bow and arrow.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes an exception in state laws that previously allowed the use of air guns to hunt wildlife.
  • Revises provisions concerning how catfish may be taken by bow and arrow.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who hunt wildlife using air guns.
  • Anglers or hunters who catch catfish using a bow and arrow.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text does not specify exactly how the rules for catching catfish with a bow and arrow are changed, only that they are revised.
  • The source material does not list specific penalties or fines for using air guns to hunt after this law takes effect.

Bill History

  1. 2025-05-14 Georgia General Assembly

    House Date Signed by Governor

Official Summary Text

Game and fish; remove an exception for use of air guns to hunt wildlife