Comments on: Lead Ban Chronicles – Lead Ammo Ban “Inevitable”?

By: Arthur

Arthur — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:40:15 +0000

I think the last line of your comment was the best one Phillip. I think it is great for everyone to get involved, and educate themselves about this growing issue. I also think it is a good idea to contact your ammunition manufacturers, as well as your representatives, and it is even better to not only contact them with your issue, but also to supply a suggestion as to what to do about it.

All of us bloggers can definitely help with this issue, by educating as well as by a lot of other means.

By: Phillip Loughlin

Phillip Loughlin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:36:28 +0000

Not bad, Senorita Cazadora.

Specific to the lead ban issue, other things include contacting your ammunition manufacturers and encouraging them to develop lead alternatives, or to put some R&D money into other solutions to the lead issue… not to mention spending some money to challenge the lead panic with some solid research and facts.

And why not leverage the lead-safe angle to promote some of what’s already out there. For example, most of the bonded bullet technology, such as the Nosler Accubond and Winchester XP3 bullets have lead cores, but the way the lead is bonded to the copper, there’s much little to no fragmentation. These bullets tend to pass through the animal completely, and if they don’t they tend to remain almost completely intact.

On an individual level, learn the facts about non-lead ammo. Dispense with the myths, from both sides of the argument, and find out for yourself what alternatives YOU have. Try some out, and see the performance for yourself. Then talk to the issue from a first-hand perspective.

And yeah, get involved in the political side of things. At the very least send personal letters to congress-critters and other politicians. Better is to show up and voice your concerns in person… but that’s not real practical for a lot of folks.

But most importantly, be constructive! Offer a solution with your complaint.

By: NorCal Cazadora

NorCal Cazadora — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:08:33 +0000

Well, hell, I was going to go to the CA Fish & Game Commission meeting next week – not because the lead ban was on the agenda (it’s not), but because it was going to be held in Sacramento, and I just want to start attending when I can. But lo and behold, since the last time I checked a couple months ago, the little buggers snuck in a Sacramento meeting LAST week, and next week’s meetings are now in SoCal. If I could afford gas to SoCal, I’d have a new rifle.

Here’s what I think we need to do:

1) Be on watch for legislative and regulatory proposals as they come up. How do you do that? Become a member of hunting organizations in your state and tell them you want to be on an email list that alerts you to things like this. In California, sign up for alerts from COHA, the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance. Click here, and go to the lower lefthand corner.

2) When issues come up, do a little research on the issue, try to find out the other side’s position, and start talking: Write letters to lawmakers and policymakers; write letters to the editor; testify at hearings. Call your hunting friends and urge them to do the same.

3) If you don’t know how to get facts on a subject, email one of the many hunting bloggers who track this stuff. If you’re nervous about writing or testifying, ask a friend for feedback, and just go for it. Sincere, original comments mean more to people in charge than cut-and-paste letters and “me-too” postcards.

4) Talk, talk, talk to all the non-hunters you know about what you do and why you do it. All too often, they only hear from the antis. Don’t hide what you do – you have nothing to be ashamed of.

How’s that, Phillip?

-Holly