I here by nominate a commitee to discover why we in Iowa don't have any birds at all to speak of...

Oh wait it's gotta be the lead shot doesn't it? DEAD WRONG

It has been proven that habitat loss is the number one reason for birds in a massive decline, weather has some to do with it, but we simply don't have the habitat to support these upland birds anymore. Farm chemicals can't help but that is just speculation on my part. With all the money we as sportsman spend to pursue our hobby we should have better opportunity. Perhaps we are going to have to start a "country club" like golf enthusists and tennis gurus do. We have shooting preserves where it's "put and take" but we could try to start something to restablish wild birds. I know each and everyone of you belongs to a conservation organization of some sort IE Pheasents Forever, but much of the money we donate/spend with them is lost in "administration" Long and short of it, sure lead shot probably has a MINUTE effect on the overall bird population but I would venture an educated guess that the impacts of lead shot are about 1/100000th of the problem. I contribute the decline of upland game and birds of the like to an extreme habitat loss all in the name of a profit.

Mind yourselves on the point that there is a reason for this "study" being funded, the persons conducting the study will tell you they "care for the good of the planet" but in my expirience 90% of them are coming up with cock-eyed theories to justify their jobs. They need funding to keep their incomes. Hey they gotta eat too. I just wish that all the money spent on studies could be diverted to creating habitat. It wouldn't suprise me if a company such as Environmetal was behind a little of this, they have a HUGE stake in the race. I understand everyone's concern about rediculously expensive ammo but money talks yadda yadda. If the big corporates want lead banned, they'll get it and a few scientists will make a good living along the way. Let's all hope common sense prevails...

Double guns and English Setters