Regulations – Lead vs. Steel

I posed this question in another thread, but I think it may have gotten lost.

In reading the MN regulation books, it is my understanding that we can use lead shot on upland birds in WMAs, but must use non-toxic shot in WPAs. Am I understanding this correctly? A few people have told that that we have to shoot non-toxic on state land, but I don’t see anything that specifies that other than the requirement for WPAs (federal).

This is all I can find in regards to WMAs, and while they encourage using non-toxic shot, it is never explicitly stated that it is a requirement:

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Lead in Ammunition
Because of its toxicity the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting has been illegal in Minnesota since 1987 and nationally since 1991. Additionally, all types of hunting with lead fine shot on Federal Waterfowl Production Areas has been illegal in Minnesota since 1999. State Wildlife Management Areas contain abundant wetlands, and lead shot continues to be deposited in theses wetland as a result of upland game bird hunting. Lead is toxic, can affect wildlife health and reproduction, and at higher levels is fatal. Effective nontoxic loads are now widely available and cost about as much as a box of premium lead. Hunters are encouraged to consider using non-toxic alternatives for all of their hunting. Using non-toxic shot also eliminates the potential risk of ingesting lead in game consumed by hunters and their families. For more information on this issue, please visit our website at mndnr.gov/lead

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Correct, encouraged to use non toxic shot on wma, but is the law to use non toxic shot on wpa. That is since the wma is state and the wpa is federal

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Correct, encouraged to use non toxic shot on wma, but is the law to use non toxic shot on wpa. That is since the wma is state and the wpa is federal

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Good. That is my understanding, as well.

Now you need a second vest Ralphie!! One for steel and one for lead.

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Now you need a second vest Ralphie!! One for steel and one for lead.

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I should probably get another shotgun, too. Just don’t tell my wife.

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Now you need a second vest Ralphie!! One for steel and one for lead.

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BTW, I use this idea if I’m hunting with both a 12 and a 20 gauge as well. It reduces the chance of having one 20 gauge shell left in the vest and then filling it with 12 ga shells with the obvious disasterous potential.

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I should probably get another shotgun, too. Just don’t tell my wife.

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Have I got a deal for you. . .

Grouse

Normally we switch shells in the same vest but that can get risky. More than one time I have missed a lead shell in my pocket when steel hunting. If CO checks and finds it you’re toast. I think Crossin Eyes just uses steel now when we hunt because he was sick of changing and he’s had good luck with modern 3″ steel. That’s the route I will eventually go but I still have a hard on for lead.

I think it’s $75.00 – $100.00 per shell. Depending on the C.O.

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I think it’s $75.00 – $100.00 per shell.

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Ouch! That is steep.

I use the 2 vest approach as well. A CO checked me a few years ago and I did have some lead shot in one of my pockets. He was nice and could clearly see that I had steel shot in my gun and the main shell loops so he let me off with a warning. I’m not going to risk it again though. I hunt a couple WMAs that have alot of ducks in the area, so I usually have steel shot in incase one comes flying by within gun range.