• The Idaho Fish and Game Commission is proposing that state wildlife management areas require non-toxic shot for upland game and turkey hunting, beginning with the 2010 hunting seasons.
• An Idaho wildlife manager stated: "Pheasant hunters are depositing a considerable amount of lead in areas where waterfowl production remains a priority. Eliminating the use of lead shot on these lands will reduce the threat of lead poisoning to waterfowl."
• Public comments from across the state are being accepted until January 15th and will be presented to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission at its annual meeting: January 27-29th.
• You may recall that Montana is considering a similar proposal for its 2010 hunting seasons.
• As you know, there continues to be a growing momentum towards requiring non-lead shotshells for upland game and dove hunting on state lands, with approximately four in ten states now banning the use of lead shotshells for dove hunting on at least some state-managed hunting properties. Some recent examples include:
• Delaware began to require dove hunters to use non-lead shot on state wildlife areas during the September portion of its 2009 dove season.
• Wisconsin enacted a new regulation last year that now requires non-lead shotshells for dove hunting on all state lands.
• Washington has begun a three-year phase-in of new non-toxic shot requirements for upland game and dove hunting on state hunting lands.
• Texas -- the number-one dove hunting state in the nation – is in the third phase of its multi-year
Dove Lead Toxicity Research Project to help direct future recommendations regarding a potential ban on lead shotshells for dove hunting in the state.