Hope for the best, but, prepare for the worst, Larry. I didn't offer up my lone non steel shot capable gun for sale. I have too much lead low pressure 16 gauge ammunition to burn up in it just now. As the years have gone on, I have come to the conclusion that the MN DNR is not as focused on hunters/hunting as it once was. I have the distinct impression that they simply want to maximize deer and turkey numbers, and see as many state duck stamps sold as possible, not for duck hunting, but to eliminate some of the urban (pest) Giant Canada Goose numbers. Whatever remains is catch as catch can. The last time I had a license checked here in MN, (while fishing) the DNR officer had never been hunting or fishing in his life. His interest was in law enforcement.
Quite a few duck hunters were caught completely off guard by the lead ban back in the day. We (I was a duck hunter) were told to shoot steel, and very little else about performance, use in old guns, expense, or whatever. Like I said, I was a duck hunter, one season of using steel taught me it wasn't what I wanted to do while I was outdoors.
I don't think anyone will be able to say a future total lead ban will catch them off guard now. We know, or should know, steel by now. And I believe in five short seasons, it will be a much different ballgame than it has been up to this point. At least in MN.
There already are quite a few ranges throughout the US that are non-toxic only, which, to the rest of us, like it or not, means steel. They didn't change because they wanted to. Neither will I.
But, I will change.
Best,
Ted
