New Lead Law for Anglers in NH ao June 1, 2016 ...free lead for reloaders?

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1 ounce or less, sale and freshwater use of sinkers and jigs in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H.
– A new law goes into effect in New Hampshire on June 1, 2016, banning the sale and freshwater use of lead fishing sinkers and jigs (lead-weighted hooks) weighing one ounce or less. The new law does not apply to lead core line, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, spoons, poppers, plugs or flies.
State law already prohibits the use of certain size lead sinkers and jigs in all fresh waters of New Hampshire. The new ban will prohibit the use and sale of lead sinkers and jigs weighing 1 ounce or less, regardless of length.

Anglers are encouraged to make the transition to non-lead tackle alternatives as soon as possible. “It’s the right thing to do, not just for loons, but for all wildlife that may ingest lead sinkers and jigs,” says NH Fish and Game Department Fisheries Division Chief Jason Smith.

Loons and other water birds can die from lead poisoning after swallowing lead fishing sinkers and jigs lost by anglers. Biologists have studied the effects of lead sinkers and jigs on water birds like loons and swans since the 1970s. Ongoing research has documented that, in the northeastern U.S. and Canada, where loons breed, lead sinkers or jigs can account for up to half of dead adult loons found by researchers. A loon will die from lead poisoning approximately two to four weeks after ingesting lead tackle.

[h=1]TITLE XXXI
TRADE AND COMMERCE[/h] [h=2]CHAPTER 339
SALES OF CERTAIN ARTICLES[/h] [h=2]Lead Fishing Sinkers and Jigs[/h] [h=3]Section 339:77[/h]
[RSA 339:77 effective until June 1, 2016; see also RSA 339:77 set out below.] 339:77 Lead Fishing Sinkers and Jigs; Sale Prohibited. –
No person shall sell or offer for sale within the state of New Hampshire a lead sinker or lead jig. The definition of lead sinker and lead jig in RSA 211:13-b, IV shall apply to this section. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation. [RSA 339:77 effective June 1, 2016; see also RSA 339:77 set out above.]

339:77 Lead Fishing Sinkers and Jigs; Sale Prohibited. --
I. No person shall sell at retail or offer for retail sale within the state of New Hampshire a lead sinker or lead jig.
II. For purposes of this section, "sell at retail'' or "retail sale'' means the sale to any person in the state of New Hampshire for any purpose other than for resale, "lead sinker'' means any sinker made from lead that weighs one ounce or less, "lead jig'' means a lead weighted hook that weighs one ounce or less. Prohibited fishing tackle shall include lead sinkers with a total weight of one ounce or less and lead jigs with a total weight of one ounce or less, regardless of whether they are painted, coated, or covered by some other substance or by attached skirts. Lead sinkers and lead jigs shall not include lead fishing related items, including but not limited to lead core line, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, spoons, poppers, plugs, or flies.
III. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a separate violation for each day of sale or offering of sale, provided that the penalty for each violation of this section shall not exceed $250. Source. 2004, 172:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. 2013, 193:2, eff. June 1, 2016.

[h=3]Section 211:13-b[/h] 211:13-b Lead Fishing Sinkers and Jigs; Use Prohibited. –
I. No person shall use any lead sinker or lead jig for the taking of fish in any fresh water, except as otherwise specifically permitted in this title.
II. A person using any such lead sinker or jig shall be guilty of a violation. Notwithstanding RSA 651:2, the penalty for a violation of this section shall not exceed $250.
III. The prohibition under this section shall apply to interstate waters pursuant to RSA 211:4 and 211:5. [Paragraph IV effective until June 1, 2016; see also paragraph IV set out below.]

IV. For purposes of this section, "lead sinker'' means any sinker made from lead, the lead portion of which has a mass of one ounce or less, and "lead jig'' means a lead weighted hook that measures less than one inch along its longest axis. Lead sinkers and lead jigs shall not include lead fishing related items including but not limited to fishing line, flies, lures, or spoons. [Paragraph IV effective June 1, 2016; see also paragraph IV set out above.]

IV. For purposes of this section, "lead sinker'' means any sinker made from lead that weighs one ounce or less, and "lead jig'' means a lead weighted hook that weighs one ounce or less. Prohibited fishing tackle shall include lead sinkers with a total weight of one ounce or less and lead jigs with a total weight of one ounce or less, regardless of whether they are painted, coated, or covered by some other substance or by attached skirts. Lead sinkers and lead jigs shall not include lead fishing related items including but not limited to lead core line, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, spoons, poppers, plugs, or flies. Source. 1998, 312:3. 2004, 172:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005. 2013, 193:1, eff. June 1, 2016.


NHF&G lead-out law page
 
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