This could be the case in Minnesota.

According to KARE 11, a Minnesota lawmaker is introducing a bill that would phase out lead ammunition.  In fact, a bill created by Democrat Kelly Morrison, would create a lead buy-back program through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and pay for vouchers to help hunters buy non-toxic ammo.

Opponents of lead shot say lead fragments are killing birds in the wild, especially raptors.  The article goes on to say that lead the size of a grain of rice can kill a bald eagle when ingested.  The lead also ends up in our drinking water and no level of lead is safe.

The NRA says not so fast. 

Brian Gosch of the National Rifle Association testified against Morrison’s bill.  He went on to say that banning lead will disrupt chain supplies of all types of ammunition even further.

Waterfowl hunters for many years have had to adjust to non-toxic shot (steal). 

I believe it was in the early '90s that it became law.  That went over like a fart in church with most duck and goose hunters.  Early steal shot crippled a lot of birds and didn't have the knockdown power that lead does.  Since then, steal shot has dramatically improved over the years.  As an avid waterfowl and upland game hunter, I have even strictly gone to using steal shot, even on upland game.  Upland game hunters can still use lead shot if they choose.  I choose not to, with all the waterfowl production areas I hunt, I hate having to switch out shells.  It's such pain, and with the improvements to steal shot, I really see no reason to shoot lead shot anymore.  Not to mention, steal shot is generally cheaper now, which wasn't the case in the early days of steal.

Since what happens in Minnesota tends to trickle over to us in North Dakota, it should be interesting to see where this goes.


 

 

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