This bill amends New Hampshire law to allow the use of air rifles for hunting game, specifically defining what constitutes an air rifle and establishing regulations for their use. The bill inserts language to specify that an air rifle must produce at least 200 foot-pounds of kinetic energy at the muzzle and can be used to take small game, moose, bear, and deer. Additionally, it requires the fish and game commission to create rules for a hunting tag program specifically for air rifle hunting. The definition of an air rifle is expanded to include any gun operated by compressed air or nonflammable gas, with specific energy requirements for small game hunting.

The bill also modifies existing laws regarding illegal night hunting to include air rifles and clarifies that an air rifle is considered loaded when a projectile is inserted in the chamber. Furthermore, it allows for the discharge of air rifles within the compact part of towns or cities under certain conditions, such as during organized events with prior notification to local authorities. The executive director of the fish and game department is granted the authority to adopt rules for the electronic issuance of licenses and tags for air rifle hunting. Overall, the bill aims to modernize hunting regulations in New Hampshire by incorporating air rifles as a lawful method of taking game.