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Dean Bortz: Wisconsin-made .45 air rifle claims first big game animal

Don Fitzmaurice, of Milton, with his Bayfield County bear, may well be the first person to shoot a Wisconsin big game animal with an air rifle. He used a Serpent’s .45 caliber. (Photo by Todd Darst)

When Gov. Tony Evers signed the “air gun” bill, Wisconsin Act 115, into law in March, it was only a matter of time before someone used an air-powered shotgun to shoot a turkey, since the spring turkey season opened right on the heels of the bill signing.
But a deer, bear or elk? Well, Don Fitzmaurice, of Milton, has the distinction of being the first person – as far as we know – in Wisconsin to shoot a big game animal with an air rife.

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