Thanks to your written public comments, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled a public hearing for March 10, on the proposed rule to ban lead shot on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the farmland zone. The plan was part of a larger rule package proposed in October 2015. At the meeting, DNR will present the proposed rule, and attendees will have the opportunity to make public statements and leave written comments.
Please consider attending this forum on Thursday, March 10, from 6:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. to voice your strong opposition to this proposed ban on traditional ammunition and to inform DNR that Minnesotans expect wildlife to be managed using sound scientific evidence!
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Headquarters Cafeteria
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
March 10, 2016
6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
As previously reported, the 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 consider attending the hearing on March 10, to voice your strong opposition to the proposed ban on traditional ammunition!