Get the Lead Out of Waterfowling

Even after a decade since lead shot was banned for all waterfowl hunting in the country, some people have not made the switch. During a saturation patrol of waterfowl hunters on the Snake River last year, Fish and Game conservation officers found lead shot in the possession of several people checked in the sweep. Lead shot violations were the most common reason for citations and warnings issued. Less common violations included use of unplugged shotguns, shooting from boats under power, and not having or not validating federal stamps. Non-toxic shot was required in all duck and goose hunting after studies concluded that spent lead shot was poisoning millions of puddle ducks where heavy gunning allowed lead pellets to build up. At least one recognized study done since lead was banned found that the new law has been effective in saving ducks from lead poisoning. Soft iron shot, commonly called steel shot, was the only alternative to lead shot for several seasons after lead was no longer legal for waterfowling. Many hunters objected that steel shot was not as effective and damaged older, sometimes classic, favorite shotguns. Other hunters found steel's limited effective range (steel is less dense than lead and loses its retained energy more quickly, generally by about 45 yards) offset by higher velocities and more consistent patterning. Several alternatives to steel have entered the market and been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in recent years. Some of the new pellets are safe to use in old shotguns, some appear to be superior to the best lead loads. The disadvantage is that all are more expensive than steel shot. Whatever alternative to lead shot a hunter may choose, the only legal choice is anything but lead. Fish and Game as well as federal wildlife authorities will continue to cite those found hunting waterfowl while in possession of lead shot.