International Fishing

Faith said:
Just saw this-
It's not entirely true about no lead allowed in the U.S.. In the upper midwest, lead weights are still allowed and available for sale for fishing. We can also get lead shot for hunting and trap shooting. I use steel or other non toxic shot for hunting just because we bounce around from WMA's(wildlife management area-state land-lead allowed) and WPA's(waterfowl protection areas-federal land, only non-toxic shot) and I don't want to risk getting caught with lead on federal land . I also want to be able to shoot waterfowl if the opportunity presents itself. My husband prefers to use lead where allowed. Mostly because lead is believed to be more deadly in how it patterns and hits the targets.
We shoot trap and skeet at gun clubs that do not allow steel shot because they can't reclaim it of which they do regularly. The high school leagues also use lead for competition. Yes, there are some clubs that require steel. Lead shot is readily available here in Minnesota. It helps that Federal Cartridge is located here and is, naturally, a huge supporter of shooting sports.
All that being said, earlier this year we traded in our toy hauler for a new RV ice house for ice fishing this winter. The temps have dropped and there is snow on the ground so we are off to a good start for fishing and snowmobiling.
The interior pic shows a view of one end. There are bunks and a bathroom on the other end. It is so cool!!!
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Thank you for the info, I was under the impression that the lead ban was country wide but apparently not yet.I live in a very conservative state so the powers that be have beat it into our heads how enviromentally unfriendly lead is and therefore evil!😆. I have given up even trying to hunt waterfowl along the Connecticut coast as the laws are so vague that you can never be sure if you are in compliance. The cost of any mistake in interpeting the multiple levels of rules for coatal waterfowl? you lose all your gear inc firearm and no license for 1 year plus $1000 fine. I am licensed to hunt with a firearm in Connecticut but cant because you need to have an FID card on top of license and then there are permits and stamps for the verious species. They cant outright ban hunting so the make it so very confusing and over regulated that it seems nearly impossible to accomplish. I will continue archery hunting next season once my shoulder is fully recovered.
That is quite a nice portable fishing shack you have there, do you have hot water for the shower or just rinse of in the jaccusi after a trip? Just kidding, wish I had something like that, I would fish during the winter much more. Good luck fishing and have a happy and safe holiday!
 
9103 said:
Thank you for the info, I was under the impression that the lead ban was country wide but apparently not yet.I live in a very conservative state so the powers that be have beat it into our heads how enviromentally unfriendly lead is and therefore evil!😆. I have given up even trying to hunt waterfowl...
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That's a shame the government makes it so difficult for people in your neck of the woods to hunt. I have relatives in NJ that shoot competively and fight fiercely(and with a lot of money) to maintain there rights and club status. Here tourism is so driven by outdoor sports, we have an edge in all of it. Not to be taken for granted though. We have a lot of groups keeping us in the know. Make no mistake, if the DNR catches you breaking the law here, there are usually consequences. Severity depending upon the offence.
I wouldn't say lead is safe even though it is legal. A few weeks back while running our dog on our property she came upon a Bald Eagle sitting on the ground. That is unusual. I called the DNR(dept. of natural resources). They came and took it to a rescue place,The Raptor Center. I called and they said it tested with high levels of lead. Further neurological testing would tell them if it stood a chance to survive with some rehab(no cure for lead poisoning) or not, meaning euthansia. I haven't checked back since. It could have eaten anything from fish to any other game that had lead in it.
Here it is on the ground. Trying to look big with my dog about 5 feet away.
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Meanwhile, we are doing final touches on the ice house. Ice is getting thicker out there for walking out and fishing but not enough for the house yet. We do have hot water and a shower. Won't be using it in the winter though. No jacuzzi.😄
On Sunday I just finished artwork on an ice fishing pole holder that will be hung inside the ice house. I used Sharpies and acrylic markers with a couple coatings of stain poly. The actual holder with the laser etching was purchased.
Before and after pics.
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We now have about 8" of snow too with more on the way so snowmobiling is our other option. I just hope the weather holds out into the new year. It's been known to start out with a bang and then fizzle out.
Happy Holidays!
 
What state are you in Faith? Geographically, not condition that is. Must be great to be where there are plenty of eagles about.

Great artwork 👍

But you said you've got snow...you must be mistaken - Al Gore said snow woud be a thing of the past by now :)
 
Dox said:
What state are you in Faith? Geographically, not condition that is. Must be great to be where there are plenty of eagles about.

Great artwork 👍

But you said you've got snow...you must be mistaken - Al Gore said snow woud be a thing of the past by now :)
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We are in Minnesota. There are plenty of eagles here. We see them everyday.
We've had very little snow the past 2 years. It was very apparent by the drought conditions this past summer. Lake levels were down a lot. It's essential to have snow. I guess if we didn't get snow, we wouldn't have lakes and we couldn't be called the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." Maybe the "Land of Lots of Eagles" instead.
 
Faith said:
I wouldn't say lead is safe even though it is legal. A few weeks back while running our dog on our property she came upon a Bald Eagle sitting on the ground. That is unusual. I called the DNR(dept. of natural resources). They came and took it to a rescue place,The Raptor Center. I called and they said it tested with high levels of lead. Further neurological testing would tell them if it stood a chance to survive with some rehab(no cure for lead poisoning) or not, meaning euthansia. I haven't checked back since. It could have eaten anything from fish to any other game that had lead in it.
Here it is on the ground. Trying to look big with my dog about 5 feet away.
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This is an update I just received on the above eagle;
"We are very sad to tell you that the adult male bald eagle (case #25-1137) that you found could not be saved as its level of lead poisoning was too severe. The bird was suffering from lead values beyond the treatable level and was displaying many of the irreversible neurological symptoms consistent with elevated blood lead levels in addition to head and eye trauma. In cases like these, the kindest act to prevent future suffering is humane euthanasia."
☹️
 
Faith said:
This is an update I just received on the above eagle;
"We are very sad to tell you that the adult male bald eagle (case #25-1137) that you found could not be saved as its level of lead poisoning was too severe. The bird was suffering from lead values beyond the treatable level and was displaying many of the irreversible neurological symptoms consistent with elevated blood lead levels in addition to head and eye trauma. In cases like these, the kindest act to prevent future suffering is humane euthanasia."
☹️
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What a shame - such magnificent animals.
 
Sorry I have not been on this thread much. After my shoulder replacement last year, I finally started to get back into life again. I got the best job in the world. I work for Connecticut Childrens Hospital as an AV engineer and get to design and install TV and video game systems for the children in the hospital. Makes me happy to get these systems into the rooms for the little ones to have a distraction for the medical issues they have to deal with at such a young age. Work was great until end of Feb when my mom died at 79 years old. Just got thru with her passing and my left hip was bothering me a bit, went to the Dr expecting to get a jab of cortizone and be feeling better quickish. Well I just had my left hip replaced after the Dr informed me that the joint was totally destroyed and I had bone on bone rubbing and causing my pain. I have been recovering since May 19th. I should be back to work by August 3rd. I am doing well and have managed to get out fishing a couple of times now. Not much to show but I have caught a few nice bass, both largemouth and smallmouth. I also just bought a pair of kayaks on my birthday last week so the numbers and pictures should be more from now till August at least. I still cant ride my bike but hope to make the track trip to Whiskey Hill race track in Palmer Mass for Laborday weekend (Sept 1) with my riding friends.
 

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