Minnesota: Bill to Prevent the Prohibition of Lead Shot Advances through House Committees

Today, House File 3209 passed on a voice vote by the House Committee on Government Operations & Elections Policy.  HF 3209 previously passed the House Committee on Mining & Outdoor Recreation Policy with an 11-3 vote.  HF 3209 will now go to the House floor for consideration by the full House of Representatives.  Please contact your state Representative and politely urge them to support HF 3209.  Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state Representative! 

HF 3209 was introduced by state Representative Tom Hackbarth in response to MDNR’s misguided agenda to ban the use of lead shot on State Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Farmland Zone. 

The MDNR’s proposed regulatory mandate for WMAs in the farmland zone would impose a significant burden on many of the state’s 70,000 pheasant hunters who hunt in these areas, as well as sportsmen and women who hunt wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and other small game species on what amounts to approximately 600,000 acres of public hunting land.

As we have seen with attempts to ban the use of lead ammunition in other states, arguments in favor of these bans are based on faulty science.  It is important to fully understand the facts concerning traditional hunting ammunition so Minnesotans are not misled into adopting a ban that could negatively impact the rich hunting heritage of Minnesota.  There has been no sound scientific evidence stating that traditional ammunition is having a population-level impact on any species in Minnesota.  To ensure proper conservation of species, wildlife must be managed with a fact-based approach.

Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Representative with your support for HF 3209!