TEXASBOARS.COM

[Mike H]

Texas is seriously considering legalizing suppressors for hunting alligators and game animals - like deer. This would not remove the federal requirements and permitting, just allow those who legally possess suppressors to get more use out of them, possibly. I f you would care to comment, one way or the other, email Robert MacDonald at robert.macdonald@tpwd.state.tx.us

[Mike H]

This weekend at the Texas Outdoor Writer's Conference I had the chance to get an opinion on legalizing suppressors for game animals from Col. Pete Flores, Director of the Law Enforcement Division for TPWD, and in effect, the "Head Game Warden" of the state. Pete says he has absolutely no objection to suppressor use on all game animals. He pointed out to listeners that suppressors are legal now, for varmints, exotics, and hogs, so if a warden were to check someone in a stand with both an unsuppressed and a suppressed rifle, who stated the suppressed rifle was to use on hogs or maybe an axis, this would not be a violation of current law - if the suppressor was legally owned. He reminded us that illegal possession or use of a suppressor was a violation of federal law, and that his department had NEVER filed a case involving illegal use of a suppressor. He is in favor of more widespread (legal) use of suppressors, and likened opposition to them to the opposition of some groups to legalizing crossbows for hunting - something he also has no problem with from a game law enforcement pint of view.

[TXRancher]

Here is the link I found awhile back, forgot to post it on here.


http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/public_comment/proposals/201203_hunting.phtml

Please AGREE with the Lawful Means portion for proposed hunting regulation changes, which allows for use of suppressors for Game Animals such as whitetail deer.

Thanks much.