Daines Seeks Return to Lead for Montana Hunters & Fishermen

Senator Steve Daines is promoting a bill that would turn around a ban on the use of lead ammo by hunters and lead tackle for fishermen.

That's a trend from recent federal policies, which came in response to a pitched battle with some wildlife and conservation groups who argue there's already too much lead in the environment from decades of hunting and fishing, especially in areas concentrated for sportsmen.

But Montana's senior senator says that approach is having a chilling effect in states like ours, where hunting and fishing are big parts of the outdoor economy.

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Why change back to lead shot and tackle?

Daines says the re-introduction of the bill would prohibit the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service from banning the use of lead as part of a legal settlement in 2022.

"They were going to ban ammo and lead tackle, which limits access," Daines explains. "And frankly, it is unfair to sportsmen, increases costs. And remember, our sportsmen play such an important role in wildlife management."

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Increased costs and economic impact

Daines argues the ban just drives up the costs of hunting and fishing, thereby discouraging outdoorsmen and their contribution to conservation efforts on public lands.

"So many anglers and so many hunters that our Montana way of life has been, you know, based on on lead ammo and lead tackle. And so I reintroduced a bill called the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act."

Similar bills have also been introduced several times in recent years.

Daines has also sent a letter on a recently released U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Charles M. Russell Wetland Management District proposing an alternative that would ban lead ammunition and tackle across the District.

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