Ask Fish and Game: Nontoxic Shot

Q. Do I need to use nontoxic shot when hunting sage-grouse or upland game along a waterway or on a wildlife management area? A. It's always a good idea to use nontoxic shot around waterfowl. But Fish and Game rules do not require the use of nontoxic shot for upland game birds. Fish and Game considered requiring nontoxic shot for upland game and turkeys on all wildlife management areas where pheasants are stocked, but the change was not adopted. Some of the islands in the Snake River, however, are in the federal refuge system and thus steel shot is required when hunting pheasants.