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Following are the messages that hunters and ranchers found to be
most effective at communicating with them about California condors
and the lead issue.
1. Hunters/Ranchers have a long history of
conserving open space and all kinds of wildlife. We can continue this tradition and
may help prevent lead poisoning in California condors by voluntarily
choosing to take one or
more of the following simple actions:
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Hiding carcasses or gut piles by covering them with
dirt, rocks, or brush, or placing them where condors can’t see them
or get to
them. Condors locate food from the air; hiding carcasses from their
field of view will make a big difference.
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Retrieving all animals shot (including coyotes,
varmints, small game, and livestock where possible) from the field.
(Note: hunters already are legally required to retrieve all edible
parts of game
from the field. However, the non-edible parts may still contain lead
shot or bullet fragments. Retrieving and removing all animals shot
will prevent condors from getting at any residual lead).
-
Cutting away and disposing of impacted meat.
-
Consider using bullets designed to prevent lead
fragmentation or which are constructed without lead (recognizing
that a complete understanding of the environmental impact of
non-lead ammunition is still evolving).
More information on non-lead
ammunition
What the experts say about
non-lead ammunition
(Note: Non-lead
ammunition is new technology. It may cost slightly more than
conventional lead ammunition. However, its costs are generally
comparable to other premium ammunition. Because it is new, it may
perform differently than the ammunition that you currently use. In
addition, this new ammunition may be difficult to find in your area.
If interested in trying non-lead ammunition, ask for it in your
local sporting goods store, or see the above link to sources of
non-lead ammunition.
a. Not all of these actions will be appropriate in
all situations. Use whichever one best suits your situation.
b. Many hunting and conservation organizations
support use of these voluntary actions to help conserve condors.
c. Our efforts may help keep this rare and unique species
part of our natural heritage.
d. By taking these simple actions, we can help
condors come back from the brink of extinction.
Disclaimer: The Condor Conservation Coalition is not in favor
of mandatory use of non-lead ammunition, nor does it support the use
of non-lead ammunition over the other options suggested. However,
the Coalition wants hunters to have the latest information on this
new technology so as to make informed decisions.
2. A number of organizations such as the National
Shooting Sports Foundation,
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Wildlife
Management Institute and others have joined a partnership to try to reduce the
amount of lead from spent ammunition that may be available to condors. We can
help by taking one or more of the following simple actions: [see
bullet point actions from #1 above].
a. These pro-hunting organizations realize that once
again we
can play an important role in keeping a rare and unique species
part of our natural heritage.
b. These pro-hunting organizations encourage their
members and all hunters to help reduce the amount of lead from spent
ammunition that is potentially available to condors.
c. While it is clear that lead is only one of the factors in condor mortality, these organizations
encourage hunters to take the high ground by reducing the amount of
lead from spent ammunition that may be available to condors.
3. Some anti-hunting organizations may try to use
the lead poisoning issue as a reason to close hunting seasons or
reduce hunting opportunities in condor habitat areas. Voluntarily
addressing this issue may reduce the risk of lawsuits and
restrictions. We can be proactive by taking one or more of the
following simple actions: [see bullet point actions from #1 above].
[Note: Due to the 10(j) rule in Arizona, no restrictions on hunting
can be put in place. However, some groups may still push for that,
and certainly could use the issue to make hunters look bad.]
a. While it is clear that lead is only one of the
factors in condor mortality – and there is
only direct evidence in a couple of cases where ammunition was the
source of condor lead poisoning – we can take the high
ground by voluntarily reducing the amount of lead from spent
ammunition that may be available to condors.
b. Most people aren’t aware of the many ways that
hunters support conservation. By these simple actions, we can show
how hunters are part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Use these messages first any time you have the
opportunity to communicate about the condor-lead issue.
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