Nontoxic Shot Requirements

[Sportfury]

Was wondering what everyone thought about page 20 of the 09-10 Upland/Migratory Pamphlet and the 2011 change. I hunt a lot of those areas. What type of non toxic shot is small enough to hunt quail with? Do they even make nontoxic in shot that small? I am going to have to become a lot better shot if I am pumping out $1 or more a shot.

Another question that I have is about possesion of shot. If it is unlawful to possess it in shotshells or loose form while in these areas what does that constitute? Does it mean you cannot have it on your person only or does that mean that you cannot have it in your vehicle as well? My dad said he thinks it means you cannot have it in your vehicle if you are going into those areas even though you would be hunting with nontoxic out of your vest. What if you reloaded with nontoxic, how would you prove that? Does anybody have any clarification on this? This could really cut down on the areas you hunt (you couldn't hunt private and then end the day at CBWA) or make you forcibly change over to nontoxic.    

[T-Bone]

Federal, Estate, and Winchester all make 12ga. steel shot loads in sizes #6 and #7 which would be fine for quail or doves. These sizes would roughly equate to sizes #7 1/2 and #8 in lead. These steel loads are available at some Walmarts and Outdoor Discount stores or online at places like Able Ammo: www.ableammo.com

I wouldn't risk the HEFTY fine by having any lead ammo on me or in my immediate proximity (like my truck) when hunting any of those areas. BTW those smaller sized steel shot loads are cheaper than the loads used for ducks.

[270Shooter]

I just bought a few boxes of 7 shot steel from wally world. Its not very expensive.

[BigGoonTuna]

i've always heard to size your shot up 2 sizes for steel, but i'm new to this, so take it with a grain of salt.

[T-Bone]

i've always heard to size your shot up 2 sizes for steel, but i'm new to this, so take it with a grain of salt.

Actually, that general rule is correct; however, I'm bending it a bit in the case of the smaller birds with the smaller steel sizes.

Sportfury, are you jumping the gun on at least a few of your areas? As mentioned on p.20, the BIG CHANGE occurs on the 2011 season. The areas for this season have been non-toxic for several years now.

Tom

[Sportfury]

T-bone, yep, I was thinking ahead. The main thing I wanted to know is about possession and what they consider it ot be.

[dontgetcrabs]

T-bone, yep, I was thinking ahead. The main thing I wanted to know is about possession and what they consider it ot be.

I have two seperate hunting vests with me when hunting. One is full of lead shells the other only has steel. I then choose the correct vest for the area I'm hunting. I leave the one with lead in my truck while hunting with the steel. It never occured to me that it might be illegal to have lead in the truck?   

[bobcat]

No, they can't tell you what you can or can't have in your truck. You'll be just fine doing that.

[GWP4Me]

What would you guys recommend for Pheasants in steel?

[dontgetcrabs]

I use #4 steel for pheasants.

[cummingsa]

The way I read it I would be concerned about it if they looked in my truck and found lead.  I don't think it is worth risking the chance of a weapon or vehicle seizure.   

Just my 2 cents worth.

[arintime]

The way I read the regs it should be fine to have lead shot in the vehicle because you can't hunt out of your vehicle. Still, I only have non-toxic shot on me while I am hunting in areas that require non-toxic shot. I have been just as sucessful with steel shot as lead shot so it doesn't matter to me.

[follow maggie]

You just can't have it on your person.  I've been asked to show the shells in my pockets before, but never to go through my truck

[bobcat]

If they were to go through people's vehicles searching for lead shells what would stop them from searching your home as well.   

As I said there's no way they can tell you what you can or can't have in your vehicle. If that were the case then I suppose they could write you up for having a rifle in the vehicle since rifles are not allowed for waterfowl hunting.