Lead Ammo Ban Expanded By Mo Dept. Of Conservation

Keep your lead ammunition out of Missouri’s conservation areas. The Missouri Department Of Conservation is expanding on a ban that’s meant to protect wildlife from lead poisoning.

Unlike bullets, shotgun shells are filled with small pellets that are often made of lead, and birds, especially, are at risk because they often mistake the pellets for stones, which they eat to help grind up their food. Another problem is eagles and other large birds of prey scavenge animal remains, and they in turn also ingest the poisonous lead.

In response the Conservation added another 16 conservation areas to the list where hunters must use nontoxic shot, bringing the total number to 37. The new regulations went into effect last month.

Click here to read more about nontoxic shot regulations.