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Course Outline

Non-Toxic Shot

Non-toxic shot is any type of shot that does not cause sickness and death when ingested by animals. Lead is considered toxic. When hunting waterfowl, you must always use non-toxic shot regardless of location.

The use of non-toxic shot is required for all small game or waterfowl hunting in the following areas:

  • All state Game Production Areas (GPAs)
  • Lake and fishing access areas
  • State park system 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
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA)

GFP encourages hunters to use non-toxic shot for all hunting, but it is not required on the following areas:

  • U.S. Forest Service National Grasslands
  • South Dakota School and Public Lands
  • Most GFP–managed property and GFP–leased property designated as Walk-In Areas
  • Controlled Hunting Access Program (CHAP)
  • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) when hunting small game such as pheasants, grouse, and mourning doves

Approved Non-Toxic Shot

Here are some examples of approved non-toxic shot:

  • Iron (steel)
  • Bismuth-tin
  • Tungsten-polymer
  • Tungsten-matrix

Review 50 CFR 20.21(j)(i) for a list of federally approved non-toxic shot types.

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