California Hunters Continue Wildlife Conservation Tradition With Switch to Non-Lead Bullets

As it has become clear that lead bullets (left) harm scavenging wildlife, many hunters and ranchers have made the switch to non-lead based, mostly copper-based bullets (right) for hunting and depredation.

© Conservation Media

September 2019 - Late summer and early fall bring the start of hunting season for many game species in California. As the body of knowledge and scientific studies linking lead based ammunition and lead toxicity in scavenging wildlife has grown over the years, many hunters have made the switch to non-lead based bullets for hunting big-game and upland-game species (waterfowl hunters were required to switch to non-lead nationwide in 1991). Hunters who have switched play a critical role in the health of species such as turkey vultures, ravens, golden eagles, and bald eagles. Hunters and ranchers (who may have depredation operations) who switch to non-lead ammunition (usually copper based) are also the lynchpin in the recovery of the endangered California condor. By switching to non-lead ammo they completely remove the source of the primary cause of mortality for this species while simultaneously providing a clean food source when carcasses or gutpiles are left in the field.

Pinnacles National Park has been engaging in outreach and education with hunters and ranchers on the benefits of switching to non-lead ammunition for over 10 years. 2019 has been particularly important for outreach efforts, though, because of new laws in the state that went into effect this year. As of July 1st all wildlife taken for depredation or hunting with any type of firearm must now be with non-lead bullets. Although lots of hunters and ranchers in the state had already made the switch, the new law led many to have to catch up and learn to use something novel. The extensive outreach efforts by Pinnacles and other hunter outreach groups have helped many hunters to make the switch and in doing so, to continue the long tradition of wildlife conservation efforts by the hunting community.

For more information about lead toxicity and scavenging wildlife please visit the Pinnacles Lead Bullet Risks webpage.

If you are a hunter, or know a hunter who needs help making the switch, check out huntingwithnonlead.org, which has great information on how to switch and detailed technical information.

For more information about outreach efforts please email Daniel Ryan, Biologist and Non-Lead Outreach Coordinator for Pinnacles National Park, or call him at 831-389-4486 x4270.

See more from the Bay Area Nature & Science Blog