National Forests

[Texdoug1]

I plan on going camping/hunting in the Davy Crockett National Forest in a few days. Does anyone know if it's legal to shoot non-game animals in a NF with a suppressor? I called to find out, and was told by LE there that he didn't know. He said he'd call me back, but I've got a feeling he's just going to tell me no to get me out of his hair. Does anyone know?

[Colohunter]

I would check with your local Department of Wildlife, or whatever name it goes by where you are going.

[Texdoug1]

Well I guess I had too little faith in them. The guy called me back about an hour later, and told me that he and his partner couldn't find any reason I couldn't - so have fun. I'm shocked with their openmindness. It's nice when LE just does their job.

[LouBoyd]

It's not about National Forests. It's about Texas hunting laws.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/means/

From that website is this:

"Firearms
Game animals and game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT:
white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope may NOT be hunted with rimfire ammunition of any caliber.
shotguns are the only legal firearm that may be used to hunt Eastern turkey during the spring Eastern turkey season (see County Listing). Rifles and handguns may not be used to hunt Eastern turkey.
pellet guns and other air guns are NOT LEGAL.
fully automatic firearms are NOT LEGAL.
firearms equipped with silencers or sound-suppressing devices are NOT LEGAL.
a shotgun is the only legal firearm for hunting migratory game birds (see Definitions - Legal Shotgun).

Nongame Animals (Non-Protected): Any lawful firearm, pellet gun, or other air gun is legal."

[snipecatcher]

You can hunt non-game animals in TX with a suppressor. This includes pigs, squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, and mountain lions to name a few. Here is a complete list:

http://tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/nongame/