Subject: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Considering Regulations on Shotgun

From: [email-masked] (Nigel Allen)
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 1993 08:32:47 GMT

Here is a press release from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
I downloaded the press release from the PR On-Line BBS in 
Maryland at 410-363-0834.

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Considering Regulations on Shotgun
Shells
 To: National Desk
 Contact: Hugh Vickery of the Department of the Interior,
          202-208-5634

   WASHINGTON, June 30 --   The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
announced today it is seeking public comment
on a notice of intent to propose limits on the length of shotgun
shells, the size of shot, and the coatings on nontoxic shot
used in waterfowl hunting.
   The service said its notice is based on concerns that existing
waterfowl hunting regulations have become outdated in the face
of advancing technology.
   In a three-part notice published in the June 30 Federal Register,
the service announced its intent to limit the length of shotgun
shells to 3.5 inches, the largest currently available on the
market.  By limiting the length of shells, the service expects
to discourage long-range shooting that can lead to crippling
and, in effect, over harvest of birds.
   In addition, the service proposes to limit the diameter of
shot size to no larger than a No. T (0.20 inch).  The proposed
regulation is intended to reduce crippling losses by limiting
shot sizes to those that have been demonstrated to be the most
efficient for harvesting large waterfowl.
   Under the notice, the hunting community and others would
be given time to deplete their supplies of size No. F shot (0.22
inch), which is larger than T shot.
   The service also proposes to require shotgun shell manufacturers
to obtain the service's approval for anti-corrosive coatings
on nontoxic shot pellets.  Although nontoxic shot is currently
required to hunt waterfowl and coots in the United States, there
are currently no standards that control the coating applied
to the shot pellets, which could be toxic.  Waterfowl often
swallow spent shot as grit, and this regulation would attempt
to ensure that shot coatings would be nontoxic when ingested.
   Public comments will be considered for 90 days after publication
in the Federal Register.  Additional information on this proposal
can be obtained by writing:  Director/MBMO, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Mail Stop 634, Arlington, Va.
22203 or by calling 703-358-1714.

 -30-

-- 
Nigel Allen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada  [email-masked]