In addition, it will be illegal to possess lead shot, either in shot shells or as loose shot for muzzle-loading, while hunting these species. The regulations govern all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and U.S. territorial waters seaward of county boundaries.
Spent shot deposited in hunting areas has been found to cause lead poisoning in waterfowl inadvertently ingesting the shot as they feed.
"The North American Waterfowl Management Plan is receiving tremendous support from hunters who want to restore waterfowl populations," says Service Director John Turner. "The elimination of lead poisoning is yet another way hunters can help in the effort to maintain stable, healthy populations of ducks and geese."
Non-toxic shot requirements have been phased in by county according to the number of waterfowl harvested. Counties with the highest harvest were the first in which the use of nontoxic shot has been required. The remaining counties included this season are those having an annual average waterfowl harvest of 5 or fewer birds per square mile during the 10-year period from 1971 to 1980.
Waterfowl hunters may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or their state wildlife agency for additional information concerning nontoxic shot regulations.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
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