Sen. Cramer, Colleagues Stand with Sportsmen, Introduce Bill to Stop the Ban of Traditional Ammo, Tackle

Press Release

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), and 21 colleagues introduced a bill to prohibit U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from banning the use of traditional lead ammunition or tackle on public lands unless such action is supported by the best available science and state wildlife and fish agencies.

"I will continue to fight against needless bureaucracy, which would limit hunting and fishing opportunities for North Dakota's sportsmen. This bill prohibits wildlife and land management federal agencies from banning the use of traditional, affordable lead ammunition or tackle on National Wildlife Refuges," said Senator Cramer.

"Sportsmen are the original conservationists and play an important role in wildlife management--the last thing we should do is limit their access by implementing a blanket-ban on traditional ammo and tackle. Not only would this affect our state agencies' revenue but it's also unfair to sportsmen who can't access or afford lead alternatives and depend on hunting and fishing," said Senator Daines. "Outdoor recreation is part of our Montana way of life--I'll keep fighting to protect our hunting and fishing legacy and ensuring these decisions are guided by science, not politics."

Last spring, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entered into settlement negotiations with activist organizations over a lawsuit regarding the use of traditional lead ammunition on over 3 million acres of federal land. Senators Cramer and Daines sent a letter urging FWS Director Martha Williams not to cave into activists' calls to restrict the use of lead ammo and tackle on public lands.

This bill also comes one week after the FWS published a rule that, while expanding access to hunting and fishing at certain wildlife refuges, phases out the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle.

Source