AR-15s are popular rifles, and yes — they are legal to hunt with (in most states). These rifles offer a wide range of advantages, whether you’re out hunting deer or looking for smaller game during the off-season. If you plan on going hunting with an AR-15, first make sure it’s legal in your location and that your configuration suits the task.
Table of Contents
- States That Allow Hunting With an AR-15
- States That Allow Hunting With Restrictions
- States That Don’t Allow Hunting With an AR-15
- What Can You Hunt With an AR-15?
- Why Do Hunters Like Using the AR-15?
- Build an AR-15 Hunting Rifle
STATES THAT ALLOW HUNTING WITH AN AR-15
The first thing to consider when purchasing a new firearm, moving to a new area or traveling across state lines for hunting is legality. AR-15s are semi-automatic, magazine-fed, have pistol grips and often have collapsible buttstocks. These features all qualify the AR-15 for classification as an assault weapon, making it illegal to own or take hunting in multiple states.
States that allow hunting with an AR-15
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States that allow hunting with an AR-15 with varying restrictions
While each states has different levels of restrictions, the most common restrictions are related to magazine size and minimum cartridge sizes .
- Colorado
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- West Virginia
States that don’t allow hunting with an AR-15
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Vermont
- Washington
- Rhode Island
*This list is based on each state’s laws as of November 2020. Please consult that most up to date laws and regulations of the state(s) you intend to hunt in.
Local governments can also impose bans even if hunting with an AR-15 is legal elsewhere in the state. Certain cities and counties in Illinois and Indiana have local bans, and it is illegal to possess AR-15s in Washington, D.C. As with all firearms, always make sure you understand and obey all local laws.
Even if your state allows you to own an AR-15, there are many state laws regulating bullet size for hunting game. Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Virginia, Ohio, Washington and West Virginia all allow AR-15 ownership but require that hunters use cartridges larger than .223. Still other states only allow the use of straight-wall cartridges, which rules out many rounds that are popular for the AR platform.
WHAT CAN YOU HUNT WITH AN AR-15?
If you would like to use your AR-15 to hunt in restricted states or want to bag larger animals in any of the fully legal states, you can configure your rifle to fire larger rounds. AR-15s are modular, and you can swap components out using simple tools to turn yours into several hunting rifles in one. With a new barrel, bolt carrier group and compatible magazines, you can build an AR-15 hunting rifle capable of firing:
- .223: Ideal for hunting smaller game like coyotes, rabbits, foxes and varmints.
- .300 Blackout: Excellent for hunting animals like feral hogs, varmints and deer.
- .308: Powerful rounds you can use to hunt moose, elk, black bears, hogs and deer.
- 6.5 Grendel: Rounds that produce low recoil — perfect for hunting deer-sized animals.
WHY DO HUNTERS LIKE USING THE AR-15?
Hunters like using AR-15s for many of the reasons these rifles are so popular with the military, law enforcement, competitive shooters and a broad range of gun enthusiasts. These rifles are lightweight, easy-to-carry alternatives to traditional hunting rifles, and they offer several significant advantages:
- Versatility: AR-15s are rifles you can use to hunt a wide range of game animals just by changing the barrel or swapping out a different upper receiver.
- Customization: The AR-15 platform is one of the most customizable rifles on the market. You can change or upgrade virtually every component.
- Accuracy: These rifles can be highly accurate. With proper technique, you can use them to put effective shots on target from up to several hundred yards away.
BUILD AN AR-15 HUNTING RIFLE
Create an AR-15 hunting rifle using parts and accessories from Wing Tactical. We only carry products we’d trust in our hunting rifles, and our team can help you determine which parts best match your requirements. Contact us today and look at our selection of barrels, bolt carrier groups and magazines to get started.
View Our Selection of AR-15 Barrels
View Our Selection of AR-15 Bolt Carrier Groups
View Our Selection of AR-15 Magazines
Related Articles
- How to Set Up an AR-15 for Hunting
