New restrictions on hunting equipment on federal lands proposed by the Biden administration have sparked strong opposition from hunting and fishing organizations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced its 2023-2024 hunting and fishing regulations, which include phasing out affordable lead ammunition and fishing tackle in eight national wildlife refuges by 2026. While environmental groups applaud the move, hunting advocates argue it's a veiled attack on hunting, lacking scientific justification.
Critics like Lawrence Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, accuse the administration of prioritizing an anti-hunting agenda over scientific evidence. They argue that traditional lead ammunition doesn't significantly impact wildlife populations.
The affected refuges, starting September 1, 2026, include Blackwater and Eastern Neck in Maryland, Chincoteague in Virginia, Erie in Pennsylvania, Great Thicket in Massachusetts, Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland, Rachel Carson in Maine, and Wallops Island Nation in Virginia. The FWS claims the rule is based on the "best available science" showing lead's negative effects on human health and wildlife. This expands on the 2022-2023 rule, which only banned lead ammunition at the Patoka National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana.
Benjamin Cassidy, executive vice president at Safari Club International and a former Interior Department official, argues that these bans create financial barriers, hindering hunting and fishing access for many Americans. He believes the administration is contradicting its commitment to expanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
This decision follows a 2021 lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity against a Trump-era rule that expanded hunting and fishing access. The Biden administration settled, agreeing to implement measures protecting wildlife allegedly impacted by these activities, including the lead ammunition ban.
Mike Leonard, vice president of government affairs at the American Sportfishing Association, expresses disappointment, echoing the need for scientifically sound justification for tackle restrictions, developed in collaboration with state agencies. He claims the FWS hasn't provided such evidence.
Hunting organizations support the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, introduced by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and others. This bill aims to prevent federal agencies from banning lead ammunition and tackle without robust scientific backing.
