STEEL SHOT USE

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Conservation Director Brent Manning today reminded hunters they must use non-toxic steel shot when hunting waterfowl, coots, snipe and rail in Illinois this year.

Manning said the steel shot program has been implemented over a five-year period to give shop shell manufacturers time to get adequate amounts of ammunition available for the hunting season and to give sportsmen time to learn how to shoot the non-toxic shot loads.

"This is the final year of the phase-in," Manning said. "Beginning this year, all waterfowl hunting in the United States must be done with non-toxic shot."

The requirement for waterfowl and coots is nationwide this year. Illinois added the requirement for snipe and rail because they typically are hunted in wetland habitat that also is frequented by waterfowl.