Nontoxic Ammunition Requirement

Most state parks and recreation areas will require hunters to use nontoxic ammunition striating in the fall. Peatland SNAs are exempt from this requirement. Because of the shortage in certain types of ammunition, this requirement also will not apply to state park youth deer hunts in the shotgun zone if hunters remove all parts of harvested deer, including the entrails. Nontoxic ammunition helps protect animals, and by extension, people, from the devastating impacts of lead poisoning. It will also help prevent lead from leaching into groundwater.  Hunters who choose not to use nontoxic ammunition have options for hunting in locations with no ammunition restrictions, like wildlife management areas and state forests. Nontoxic ammo is still encouraged at all times, irrespective of the location.