Steel shot rules

[beach004]

Coming to SD to hunt next week; this is our first encounter with steel shot, not being waterfowlers. I know that in Public and waterfowl areas, we have to use steel; but given that we are planning to also hunt WIA and other areas where lead is permitted, do we have to scrupulously "strip" ourselves of lead shells before we hunt steel areas (I believe that is true in NC when waterfowling), or is it sufficient to have steel in your gun, maybe your front ammo pockets, with lead in the game bag or some such? Can anyone tell me, "Where is it written?"
Thanks,
Beach004

 

[Royce]

I just checked the hunting regs. and I couldn't find where it specifically answered this question. However, to be on the safe side, if it were me I would make sure I had NO lead shot on my person while hunting a non-toxic shot area.

GF&P conservation officers seem to have a lot of "wiggle room" built in to enforcing the rules. One officer may let you by with having lead in your pocket as long as your gun was loaded with steel. The next officer you come across may very well write you up for having lead some lead shells in your pocket. I can understand this point of view. I'm not saying you would do this but you and I both know that there are people out there who would have a lead shell or 2 in their gun and if they see the conservation officer coming they will quickly unload the lead, stuff them in their pocket and put in some steel shells. Always someone who doesn't feel the rules apply to them.

Obviously you are a pretty ethical hunter and have made sure you know the rules. With that in mind I simply wouldn't take a chance. Make sure the lead is locked up in the truck before you head out in a steel shot area.

Here is a link to the South Dakota GF&P web site. I couldn't find where the hunting regs. specifically addressed this question.

http://gfp.sd.gov/

You can always call the SD GF&P and ask. Anytime I have called with a question they seemed very helpful.

(605)223-7660


Good luck. Now that the crops are pretty well out it keeps getting better. Birds are getting a little wild but you should see a lot. I'm even getting out this weekend myself.

 

[Dakotazeb]

The Reg reads:

•Nontoxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting
of small game on the following public lands:
State Game Production Areas, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers land, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Wildlife Production Areas managed by GFP, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife
Refuges and Waterfowl Production Areas.

While it doesn't say you can't have lead shot on you it only makes sense to only have non-tox on you in these areas. Why take the chance. You may be able to make a good argument because of the language in the Hunting Handbook but the handbook does not contain every reg word for word. Why put yourself in a potentionally difficult situation when you don't have to. Any time I hunt one of these ares I rid myself of all lead shells.

 

[dekuiper]

I also do a complete strip of all lead on public ground. Much better safe than sorry. Especially for out of staters like us.

 

[niceshot]

If you're driving all the way from North Carolina, consider buying and using Hevi-Shot instead of steel. The expense of the shells may seem outrageous, but considering the cost of gas, food, and lodging probably not a budget buster. I consider Veterans Day the division between early and late season pheasant hunting. The weather can change really fast, and any public land pheasant still alive knows that orange men with dog whistles are a bad thing. Throwing big heavy balls at them will be key to putting birds in the bag, rather than just knocking them down. Try to get some hunting in before East River Deer Season starts on November 20. Good luck! each and every public land rooster at this time of year is a trophy to be celebrated.

 

[beach004]

Dodging deer hunters

Thanks for the Hevi-shot advice; may have to consider that, too; for 4 people, the cost looks more impressive than if I divide it four ways.

Yes, opening of SD deer season looms large in my attempt to plan for Saturday. I guess I'm hoping that in hunting the two days before we will locate some spots that are less attractive for deer and more so for pheasants; but the only experience I have is as a quail hunter interacting with deer hunters in North Carolina; here it's not much of a problem with the tree-sitters, so long as we aren't trespassing; plus they do most of their hunting at dawn and dusk. The real difficulty is with dog-hunters--that is, deer hunters using dogs; leads to busted coveys, and hound-setter interactions--plus always the risk of some yahoo taking a "sound shot" at your setter--or you!

But given the relative scarcity of trees in SD, I don't know what to expect from deer hunters out there. I sure don't want any hostile encounters with folks carrying high powered rifles. "Why can't we all just get along?" as was famously said...
Beach004

 

[oldandnew]

Another vote for Hevi Shot or Kent Tungsten-matrix, consider as well that steel patterns tighter than lead, by at least one choke size, and steel generally starts faster, more fps, but slows much faster, making it difficult to judge lead on targets beyond 40 yards, till you adjust. flopping back and forth between lead and steel will slow the learning curve. I would go all in one way or the other, use the same loads across the board everywhere. The non-tox, non steel loads will pattern much like lead, and have similar down range characteristics. Good Hunting.

 

[beach004]

Steel away...

If at all possible, I don't shoot at birds greater than forty yards; especially not after last year. I found myself blocking on a large drive (see photo); birds were getting up 300 yards down the field, flying toward me till about 50 yards, then turning left to cross, with the wind behind them...I missed five of them in a row, not able to believe how much I had to lead them! I want to shoot at quail-distance--where the feathers blow back in my face!

Maybe hunting with a dog, that may actually happen this year...

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