Question: I saw a news story on TV about a turkey near Sacramento that was shot with a dart from a blowgun. Would that be a legal way to hunt turkeys? What are the lawful methods of take?
Answer: No, a person may not use a blowgun to hunt wild turkeys, nor is it legal to possess a blowgun at all. The mechanisms by which a person may hunt or “take” wild turkeys are covered in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 311. Lawful methods of take for turkey include shotgun, muzzleloading shotgun, archery, crossbow and air rifle. The regulations are in place to ensure the quickest and most humane kill and to minimize the chance of suffering. Blowguns are not authorized anywhere in the code section. Note that subsections to section 311 outline further restrictions for each method of take.
Additionally, blowguns are specifically prohibited—not just for hunting, but for any purpose—by California Penal Code section 20010. The code section states: “Any person who knowingly manufactures, sells, offers for sale, possesses, or uses a blowgun or blowgun ammunition in this state is guilty of a misdemeanor.” There are a few exemptions for professional use of blowguns, including for some California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) personnel, as blowguns are sometimes the best choice in very specific zoo or wildlife management applications.
Lastly, hunting in most parks, including the park in Sacramento County where the turkey incident occurred, is prohibited. The turkey in the photo above was saved by a permitted wildlife rescue volunteer. Anyone with information about this incident, including reporting persons who appear to be hunting with a blowgun, should call CDFW’s 24/7 CalTIP hotline at 888-334-2258.