Lead shot ban in WA for Upland birds, small game, turkeys?!

[Dave Workman]

Suggest everyone read the following proposed legislation.

SB 5095 - 2009-10   

Protecting the California condor and other vulnerable wildlife from the threat of lead poisoning.

Go here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5095

and click on the link to the "Original Bill"

Summary: This is a proposal to ban the use of lead shot for upland game and birds, "to protect vulnerable wildlife, including the California condor..."

[robodad]

Why not ?? 

[boneaddict]

I'd just assume keep all my loads with lead for big game.

[Dave Workman]

I don't think you guys are getting this.
A lead shot ban would be the "first step" according to critics of the legislation, toward banning ALL lead ammunition. Period.

[Curly]

I get it.  I'm going to have to try to shoot up all the lead ammo I currently have.  Then, any future ammo I buy will be non toxic.

Now that I am allowed to use bullets in my ML that are not all lead, I won't have a problem meeting the no lead requirement.

That said, I'm still not FOR the proposed ban.  I'm going to do my part to voluntarily shoot non-toxic loads (after I shoot up my current supply), but I don't think it should be law.  Also, it is also the next step toward banning lead from use in fishing gear...........that I will not be voluntarily going to non-toxic; it gets way too expensive to eliminate lead from my fishing gear.

[robodad]

I don't think you guys are getting this.
A lead shot ban would be the "first step" according to critics of the legislation, toward banning ALL lead ammunition. Period.

Isn't that what this article is about, banning all lead in all shot, bullets or otherwise ??

Seems they are proposing the ban not necessarily on the bird shot that kills the birds but also the bullets that kill the deer cause the condors and other species are eating the fragments of bullets left behind. I don't see this bill as being specific to one type of shot or another but for all lead to be banned.

[bowhuntin]

It is also proposed as a new regulation in the proposals for certain areas in the state. I wrote WDFW and told them I was against them banning the use of lead shot basically because of what Dave is saying.

[ICEMAN]

Yep, lets ban lead.

What is next?  Hunting is bad for animals too. So is driving a truck into the backcountry and kicking up dust. Hiking thru an area that game animals may be in, can disrupt their life and place unnecessary stress on them.  Take those berries out of your bucket, a bear or bird may need them. That shed antler in your hand....DROP IT! Mice need antler sheds left on the forest floor for the rich calcium they contain. You bowhunters better watch out, you fling an arrow at something and miss....that arrow is razor sharp and poses a serious risk to all species. How many studies about spent/lost arrows are planned?  Carbon fiber is a hazard big time.

How many birds get killed on power transmission lines each year? How many birds die after hitting your sliding glass door each year. Ever hit a pheasant at 60 miles per hour?

I havent seen any university studies on how we can reduce the impact that hikers have on game species. Havent seen that one yet.

I have eaten hundreds of birds and game animals which were taken with lead ammunition. Hundreds. I have probably injested lead more than once. Maybe that is why this type of legislation pisses me off, maybe my brain is so wacked that I cannot understand how banning lead rifle bullets, or lead turkey shot is going to benefit any animal. My desire to resist change and my continual lack of trust for those pushing this type of legislation aside, I can recognize that if you feed an animal lead tainted food, that this is not adviseable, I just do not see the need for the legislation.    If we spent all the money studying this issue, all the cash proposing and considering legislation like this on habitat restoration and improvement.....


I watch this constant march to remove my hunting heritage slowly. Bit by bit. Change by small change. All in the name of safety and animal protection.

Ban the lead, might as well ban hunting.

[boneaddict]

I get it Dave, that was my point about what i wrote.  Sorry I am being more brief these days.  Lots of those condors here in Wa too.

[woodywsu]

Banning lead to help out raptors doesn't seem right. It seems like the raptors in Washington are very healthy. I read a report a month ago that reported expanding bullets left behind 150 times more lead when compared to non-expanding bullets. I can see this being a problem for condors, but why in Washington?

[robodad]

I get it too, I don't see lead as being harmfull at all unless is traveling very very fast !! I don't know how many times as a kid accidentally swallowing a lead splitshot while trying to get it attached to my line, I worked in a lead shop making sinkers and down rigger balls and jigs etc... for a couple years and we used to cut the lead into smaller chunks with a chain saw so we could melt it and I don't have any problems (well some of you might think otherwise   ) so what is the big deal with lead. banned in fuel, banned in paint, banned in some ammo already.   Why does my ML have to use ALL LEAD projectiles, 

I'm confused !!   

[bowhuntin]

How would they enforce this law anyways. Will the game warden take one of your shells and cut it open?

[Skyvalhunter]

I hope this doesnt come about as I have too much lead shotgun shells. I would think they would have to phase it in. But like was said it is a proposal but for now.

[dbllunger]

Yes they are proposign phasing it in.  This garbage is no different then taking guns away.  Every little step and it eliminates the use of firearms.  Curly...yes your fishing weights, wheel weights, everything will be eliminated.  This should not be accepted at all.  Remember it started with the waterfowl, then a few years later "just a little expansion" and so on and so on.  It should be obvious the tactic they are using.  They would check just like they do now for water fowl hunters.  This is serious business, and all bullets will be included weather you hunt or not.  Don't be so short sighted as to what the wanted end result is.  "ELIMINATION OF HUNTING AND GUNS"  No I am not paranoid just a realist.

[Curly]

  Why does my ML have to use ALL LEAD projectiles, 

 

If the proposed ML equipment changes go into effect, you won't be restricted to lead only.

I remember back in the '80's when some areas we were required to use steel shot for waterfowl and some we were still allowed to use lead.  Then after a while all waterfowl hunting was required to use steel.  This has been coming for a long time.  The enviros won't be happy until all lead ammo is banned.........you won't even be able to shoot clays with lead.