I've answered before. I would say a.22 is not a legal (or ethical) caliber to hunt deer with in that state.
The state's definition of legal is the legal definition in the state.
I understand what you are saying.....I think. And I agree about the .22 pistol not being an ethical caliber to hunt deer with. I guess what I'm saying is even though it's not a legal caliber or an ethical one for deer that state. And the state deems it that way by making it illegal, it still cannot say it's not a firearm.