Yes, the .22's are legal in my state. That is one fact that I am not very proud of!
I still say using a .22 of any kind on deer, stinks!
Given the fact that there are at least 50 real deer calibers on the market, there is just no good reason to use a .22!
My "opinion" is based more on good, sound, ethical judgement, than just a mere "personal opinion!"
If its a challenge that you want, take up bow hunting, handgunning, or muzzleloaders! Don't experiment with very marginal calibers like the .22's! Fine game animals like deer, deserve more respect than that!