Question: I have been searching for any regulations specifically regarding slingshots but have found no clear reference to them within the DFG hunting regulations. As written, slingshots are not a legal method of take for any game. Yet there are inferences that under certain sections, such as Fish and Game Code, Section 4186, that a slingshot would be considered a legal method of take. Further, varmints such as jackrabbit and ground squirrel do not fall under the regulations for fur-bearing mammals. I have not been able to find any source of reference on the DFG website or credible interpretation of the regulations by any warden or lawyer. Can you please provide clear references relating to the use of a slingshot for taking any game or non-game animals?

Answer: Slingshots may only be used to take non-game birds and mammals (California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 475). However, the only non-game birds that may be taken by any method are English house sparrows and starlings (FGC, sections 3800(a) and 3801). There is also a crow hunting season, but crows may only be taken by shotgun, falconry or archery (CCR Title 14, Section 485). Common non-game mammals ("varmint" is not a term used in Fish and Game law) that may be taken include coyotes, bobcats, opossums, ground squirrels and orange-belly marmots. Take of bobcat requires possession of a bobcat tag (CCR Title 14, Section 478.1).

Rabbits and tree squirrels are game mammals, and their take with a slingshot is illegal. Non-game mammals are those species not otherwise categorized in the law as resident small game (CCR Title 14, Section 257), big game (CCR Title 14, Section 350) or fur-bearing mammals (FGC, Section 4000). The complete Fish and Game Code is available online at: http://dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/.