Well Salopian, at least we haven't rolled over on gun ownership.
FnF, I agree with you. Banning lead because of the danger it poses to upland birds isn't bad science; it's essentially NO science. There is some data on doves, and lead shot restrictions on public areas which are popular dove hunting sites may make sense. However, here are a couple of interesting sentences straight out of the "Report of the Nontoxic Shot Advisory Committee" to the Minnesota DNR: (I think you can access the entire report on the MN DNR website.)
"Conclusive proof regarding the effects of lead shot on other upland game populations is lacking, but the topic has received little study to date."
"Furthermore, it is unlikely that conclusive data can ever be obtained due to the cost of this type of research."
Translation of the above: "We don't have the data and aren't likely to ever have the data, but we think banning lead is a good idea anyhow because it might be harmful."
If a lead ban is imposed, Kent does make 2 1/2" shells with Tungsten Matrix. Better stuff than steel anyhow, and barrel friendly--but expensive as hell.
