BigBendFishing.Net

Hello All,

Hardly ever fish and thus rarely post, but just got this from another forum. - Kevin



EPA Denies Second Part of Environmental Petition on Lead in Ammo and Fishing Tackle From THE SHOOTING WIRE:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent notice to The Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, Project Gutpile and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility notifying them of the EPA's denial of their August 3 petition to ban the production and sale of lead-based ammunition and fishing tackle under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) of 1976. In that letter, the EPA said the petitioners "failed to demonstrate that the rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of health or the environment."

The EPA had denied the ammunition portion of the petition on August 27 on grounds they lacked the legal authority to regulate ammunition under TSCA.

The Congressional Sportsmens' Caucus and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) have joined host of agencies and organizations are praising the decision.

Well that makes ONE government agency that got something right for a change.

Ive got to say I could be convinced to support banning lead.

I've been shooting Steel shot at ducks since high school and I kill plenty of birds.

With all the lead alternatives there are heavier than lead options- Tungsten matrix or Bismuth that would work just as well in a fishing environment.

I even tried some of the EnviroWeights- steel fishing sinkers.

If there is a good alternative to something that we know is toxic why not make a change.

HEY BARRY, SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN USING STEEL SHOT, HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR BARREL LATELY. A FRIEND OF MINE SAID THAT HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE 3 BARRELS SINCE HE STARTED USING STEEL SHOT 4 YEARS AGO.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA SEMPER FI

bman wrote:
If there is a good alternative to something that we know is toxic why not make a change.

Makes sense to me. Provided everything else is in order. I think what gets my goat is the group forcing the issue not the issue.

Is the World mixed up or is it me?

Please don't answer that! It might get too HOT in the kitchen and I don't want to get out....yet!

It's COLD outside this morning!

FUTCHCAIRO wrote:HEY BARRY, SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN USING STEEL SHOT, HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR BARREL LATELY. A FRIEND OF MINE SAID THAT HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE 3 BARRELS SINCE HE STARTED USING STEEL SHOT 4 YEARS AGO.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA SEMPER FI

Pa,
I got through at least 10 boxes a duck season and my barrels are fine.
Most new guns, And by new I mean made since the 80's, there are no problems.
The barrels are a harder steel and handle the harder shot just fine.

Your right that it can mess up older guns.
I don't put steel through my old Belgium Brownings - there are some alternatives made for them.

I agree with you BMan, if there are good alternatives we should head that way. I would rather see a "phasing out" of lead products over several years rather than an immediate regulation banning them. That would allow both the industry and the consumers the opportunity to prepare for such a change. It didn't kill us when we got rid of lead based paint. Having had to clean up several lead sites over the years, I may be a little biased against lead . I'm glad to see one of our government agencies making a sound decision.

I plan to keep the lead in my pencil.

I can see a ban on lead used in ammo for hunting and even freshwater fishing where the concentrations might build up to toxic levels, but not in saltwater.

The issue many sportsmen have with lead proposals is the lack of science (and often comman sense) behind them. In essence, impose more regulations on hunters, fishermen, shooters and create rules that have an immediate and significant economic impact on those groups, without a reasonable amount of data, or very questionable data to support the action.

My personal opinion is that there are groups out there who would prefer you and I never hook another fish, shoot another duck or even fire another firearm for that matter. The commercial guys have deep influence. Us recreational types are easier pickings. My2cworth....

Banning lead is silly. When they have reviewed the science of banning it for ducks, it was found to be flawed.