Steve, can you hunt with a pellet gun in places that are shotgun only..?
Kinda hard to find any information about where to hunt with pellet guns
I would check the regs for the particular area for legal means of take...In California, pellet guns are not considered a firearm...You have to check with each jurisdiction though.
The fish and game code 3004 does not mention pellet guns, but are considered a deadly weapon now...AB 1506 added pellet guns a couple years back.
(a) It is unlawful for a person, other than the owner, person in possession of the premises, or a person having the express permission of the owner or person in possession of the premises, while within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building, or within 150 yards of a barn or other outbuilding used in connection with an occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building, to either hunt or discharge a firearm or other deadly weapon while hunting. The 150-yard area is a "safety zone."
(b) It is unlawful for a person to intentionally discharge a firearm or release an arrow or crossbow bolt over or across a public road or other established way open to the public in an unsafe and reckless manner.
Ca. Fish and Game Code § 3004
AB 1506, OIS Investigation Procedural Guidelines: A “deadly weapon” includes, but is not limited to, any loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, pilum, ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, dagger, billy, blackjack, plastic knuckles, or metal knuckles. (Gov. Code, § 12525.3, subd. (a)(1).)All firearms, and BB/pellet guns, even if unloaded or inoperable, are deadly weapons. Objects that have a legitimate non-weapon purpose are considered deadly weapons only when, based on all the circumstances, they are used in a manner likely to produce death or great bodily injury. The following are examples of objects that have been considered a deadly weapon when used in that manner: knives, box cutters, screwdrivers, bottles, chains, automobiles, rocks, razorblades, baseball bats, and iron bars. Replica firearms (including Airsoft guns) are not considered deadly weapons unless they are used in some particular manner likely to produce death or great bodily injury (e.g., as a bludgeon).Use of Deadly Weapon In determining whether an OIS qualifies as an AB 1506 event, the evaluation process is not to be based solely on the mere possession of a “deadly weapon” or other object (e.g., a visible sheathed knife), but must also consider whether the weapon was “used in a manner likely to produce death or great bodily injury” at the time of the shooting. The totality of circumstances of an incident are considered in making such a determination.