Hi, Matt -

I'm a newcomer to this forum as well (and to hunting for that matter), but I've lived in Central California most of my life. The answer to your question depends on how far you're willing to drive. As I'm sure you know, the birds you described are upland birds, and Monterey isn't exactly "upland". I'm sure others more informed than I will elaborate, but you're probably looking at a two-hour drive to get to anywhere good (with the possible exception of some club lands).

The best hunting that's truly close to Monterey is for pigs. There are several places less than an hour's drive from Monterey.

Anyway, I hope you find what you're looking for...

mz

Oh...heh...I just read your other post and saw that (as your handle suggests) you only use air rifles. I guess that leaves pigs out, doesn't it?

You might check in with Ducks Unlimited...a friend of mine belongs to them and I'm almost sure they have some property not too far from you...anyway, good luck again...

mz

airguns? you must be kidding. why wound animals with a bb gun? you give hunters a bad name, stop hunting, take up knitting.

I agree wtf? Airguns you may shoot tweety bird in the back yard or something, but not game animals. Maybe you should go back where you came from.

Hey asshats obviously you dont know jack.

http://www.americanairgunhunter.com/airgun_hunter.html

http://www.adventuresinairguns.com/Hoghunt.html

http://www.bigboreairguns.com/

http://www.quackenbushairguns.com/

dont be such a simple minded fool.

Interesting links. I didn't know that air rifles came in those calibers. I have a 5mm Sheridan that I've since I was a kid and that's about the extent of my knowledge in them. Not very much (if any) published about the subject in any major magazine, or show, that I can remember.

You weren't trying to set some guys up before droping the info were you?
I almost, almost, put in a smart remark myself.

Now, why the heck would I do something like that? I just think we ought to respect one another. The comments made by the 2 people up above is un-called for.

With firearms there are alot of restrictions. Airguns, almost none. You can shoot them anywhere. And yet these airguns produce as much as 500 ft lbs of muzzle energy. And the projectiles can travel up to 1000 ft per second. Come in many cal. .22 .25.45.50, 9mm and 308

From reading the articles on the links you posted it looks like at least one guy has one in 20mm!
It looks like a lot of these guns are filled with some pretty heavy pressure, with scuba tanks and stuff being used. I also saw a picture of a smaller 10oz tank that I suppose you can carry with you while hunting?
What do you use, and how do you refill the gun. I did note that some guns have an area in the stock to store pressure for a couple of shots.

Check this one out.

http://www.americanairgunhunter.com/dragonslayer.html

I honestly have to say that I have never heard of anything like this before. I thought .22 cal was the biggest caliber airgun made. Which is probably the same assumption made by others in above posts.

Where can you buy these guns and ammo? What are the prices ranges? What is the effective kill range?