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

[Mauser]

Here is the final word on lead shotgun shell ban.


State's new 3-year hunting plan includes
new non-toxic shot rules, muzzleloader hunts



OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted statewide hunting seasons and regulations that include new restrictions on toxic shot and more hunting opportunities for muzzleloaders over the next three years.

The new seasons, approved during a public meeting here April 3-4, establish hunting rules for deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear, cougar and small game in 2009-11.

The commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), adopted the new three-year hunting plan after nearly eight months of public comment and review. As part of that process, WDFW wildlife managers conducted public meetings around the state and contacted more than 50,000 licensed hunters by e-mail to solicit their ideas on various management options under consideration.

“Within the framework of state conservation goals, we try to accommodate the public as much as we can in designing state hunting seasons,” said Dave Brittell, assistant director of the WDFW wildlife program. “These seasons reflect the ideas of thousands of Washingtonians, both hunters and non-hunters alike.”

Under one new policy approved by the commission, WDFW will phase in an expansion of state restrictions on the use of lead shot, which are toxic to birds and other wildlife that ingest it. Noting that toxic shot has been banned in hunting waterfowl since 1991, Brittell said WDFW has been expanding that prohibition to other hunts around the state.

New this year, hunters will be required to use non-toxic shot when hunting upland game birds or mourning doves in three units of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area, where ingestion of lead shot by wildlife is of particular concern. In 2011, the non-toxic shot requirement will be expanded to all established WDFW pheasant-release sites.

[cascademountainhunter]

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.

:+1:

[Alchase]

WDFW has been expanding that prohibition to other hunts around the state.

About says it all right there.

[sisu]

I just don't understand why everyone is so surprised with this latest action? Once the lead ban happened to water fowl I knew it would be so for upland sooner or later. If I am correct there were certain upland sites that were near or on water fowl areas where the lead shot ban was in effect. We all have an abundance of lead shot shells at home so we just need to start using them up ASAP, and slowly get used to the idea that non-toxic is required.

I started reloading steel this past year just for this reason. I like to hunt upland in areas where jump shooting water fowl is available so I pack only steel shot shells. I like to reload same as I like to tie my own flies. Nothing more fun than taking game with things you've made. So instead of complaining, because we can't turn back the tide of our current government, we need to arm ourselves with the proper gear.

It's just a matter of time till we won't be allowed to us lead sinkers either...

[Mauser]

It is not that everyone was surprised at the lead ban, it is that it is just one more step in a long process of change that effects hunters directly. You have the history correct you have just left out the next step, a total lead ban across the state. At the same time this is occuring the Washington State Department of Ecology is in the process trying to get rid of lead hunting bullets. Their claim is that hunters are in danger. They are already past the stage where they ask for input and frankly, they have quit responding to hunter email and letters. I have sent several lengthy and polite emails detailing my concerns as a hunter to the woman that is spearheading the program,(Heidi Davies) and have only gotten an short response to my first comments. A friend had his doctor test his blood for lead. He has reloaded and smelted lead for years. The results hardly regestered on the lab test. He mailed those results to the WDE and got no response. What we are seeing is a process where government agencies make up their collective mind on what it is they want to have happen, pretend to ask for citizen input, and then proceed with their initial idea.

The science behind thes moves is intended to support those original concepts. In fact, the DOE is using unconfirmed out of state work at face value. They did not do any testing of their own. When I pressed for copies of the data I was ignored.

Again, I am not surprised, just put out by the process and the extra costs to hunters. Let me give you some examples. I  shoot a 28 ga. shotgun. There is no steel shot available anywhere near me for this shotgun. In fact a steel load in that shell may be ineffective. The only Bismuth load I have ever seen locally was $58. for a box of 10 shells. As far as I know it is still on the shelf. We know that steel is less dense than lead and so does not do the job as well. That is exactly why makers are loading bismuth, heavy shot and others. They cost a lot more. In addition, steel will destroy the barrel on your grandfathers shotgun. It will become a wallhanger. I have personally ruined the barrels on a very nice double because I believed the hype that steel would not harm older shotguns.

The end game will be a total ban on lead, both shotshells and hunting bullets. The costs will be only to hunters. The agencies involved will have pretended to use the democratic process. I am not "surprised."

[AWS]

Mack's Prairie Wings carries both Bismuth and Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles ammunition in 28ga at about $25/bx(10/bx).  You can purchase bismuth shot for about $66/7#.  Cabelas also carries both at about the same price.

AWS

[Pat/Rick]

Getting close to moving time.This state is getting to left wing,liberal,bs for me.Lead is a natural occuring element and it's not going to hurt the environment period.More B.S. from the stupid global warming bunch.I got lead, I'll use lead. Four legs good , two legs  baaaaaaad.

[dbllunger]

All of this lead banning science is just prejudiced crap put out by people with an agenda.  Oh yeah the DDT they found in Antarctic Seals was found to be actually part of their DNA.  Wow amazing how science is constantly changing their theories and facts as time goes by.  Those who would ever give an inch on this you better take a hard look at what is happening.  Try to go buy a mini bike because you won't be able to because of the "Lead" in the parts.  Yeah I've seen a lot of kids eating MC parts.  But we import more products from China then any other country, and they are the leading polluter and lead user in all of it's products.       

[Pat/Rick]

Use what I got ,got what I use. Just more back door gun control.Thats all. F 'em. Liberty.