• Montana’s proposed hunting regulation to ban lead shotshells for upland bird hunting on certain state-owned hunting lands was defeated by a one-vote margin today.
• During today’s meeting of Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission, the initial proposal – which originally would have banned lead shot on all state wildlife areas – was first narrowed to just two hunting lands before being defeated altogether, by a vote of 3 to 2 against the proposal.
• The issue had generated much controversy, with groups including the National Rifle Association and the Montana Shooting Sports Association questioning the motive behind the ban and suggesting it may be part of an anti-hunting agenda.
• The commissioner who made the motion to dismiss the suggested ban stated that the proposed statewide ban was made in the absence of scientific evidence to support it -- particularly since it would have included wildlife management areas that have no water – which, he said, clouded the issue of whether such a ban might actually make sense at one or two wildlife management areas.
• He said the emotion around the issue was so great, the commission needed to step back and that any future efforts at banning lead shot must be supported with more scientific evidence.