Hunting News

MN Proposes Nontoxic Ammunition Use

MN Proposes Nontoxic Ammunition Use

By Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota’s small game hunters and others interested in a proposal to use nontoxic shot in Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the farmland zone have been responding to the plan since comments opened Oct. 13.

“The nontoxic shot rule would apply to hunters using shotguns with shot, not to hunters using single-projectile ammunition, such as rifles or shotguns with slugs,” said Jason Abraham, DNR furbearer and regulations specialist. “We’re trying to reduce the amount of lead deposited on public land, especially wetlands.”

The nontoxic shot proposal is one of several proposed rule changes, which include hunting game on certain refuges, use of nontoxic shot for rails and snipe statewide, and adjustments to small game possession limits.

The requirement would affect hunters using shotguns to hunt wild turkey, pheasants and other small game species on WMAs in the farmland zone. Hunters currently need to use nontoxic shot for hunting waterfowl.

Changes would not affect private land, state forest and county forest land. The farmland zone includes the far western and southern portion of the state. The forest zone makes up the northeastern part of the state and would not be affected by this proposed rule change.

“Requiring nontoxic shot on farmland zone WMAs will reduce the amount of lead deposited in or near wetlands on public lands. These are places with heavy hunting pressure,” Abraham said.

“Also, federal lands already have this requirement, so our proposal makes the regulations simpler for hunters in WMAs, which are often bordered by federal land.”

The proposal would allow steel or other alternatives to lead that are approved by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service.

“Many of the rule changes included in this package have been discussed and supported at past public input meetings and are currently in effect as temporary rules,” Abraham said. “Other proposals have not been in effect and we’re encouraging hunters to learn more about the rule proposals and provide input.”

Among provisions proposed in this rule package:

• Require nontoxic shot on wildlife management areas in the farmland zone, beginning in 2018.
• Make minimum archery draw weight requirements for hunting big game and wild turkey consistent with statute by no longer requiring a draw weight of 40 pounds or more.
• During the youth deer season, allow youth to harvest a deer of either sex.
• Clarify requirements for registering and identifying bear bait stations.
• Standardize common crow hunting dates by making the dates March1-31; Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, and Dec. 15 to Jan. 15.

More information about specific rules proposed and the rules process is available on the wildlife rules input page.

Written comments to the DNR about the proposed rule changes may be made for at least 60 days through Dec. 12.  Comments may be submitted to DNR Wildlife, Box 20 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020 or by email at jason.abraham@dnr.state.mn.us.

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