Sounds settled to me also, but my brother's opinion reading the same set of regulations as I did resulted in a different conclusion. When I quoted from the CT regulations to him:

"'... air rifles have the same 500 foot zone as shotguns and .22s.' Read above the text you show below title FIREARMS HUNTING where the 500 Foot Zone is defined as well as specific inclusion of air rifles."

And my brother responded (one of five brothers):

"My logic is that is for “firearms”. Air guns are not firearms.

Air guns says “rifles and handguns” apply. Nothing about 500 feet in the handguns and rifles section. It does not say “firearms” apply under Air guns.

That is how I read it."

If any of you grew up with brothers, most will be experts on most subject matters, you know how this works. Being the younger that makes me less knowledgeable by definition. So, for my opinion to have any traction I am looking for a really plain black and white plainly worded DEEP official response to the question: Does the 500 foot exclusion zone apply to air guns?