John H, CA
Deer hunting in California has gone completely lead-free. That has lowered mortality in Condors and has helped to reduce lead poisoning in other wildlife and in hunters and their families. That's a win-win result!
Evan M, CA
The Barnes 70-grain TSX Solid Copper round is the choice of Navy Seals. That shows how far non-lead ammo has come. High performance, consistent expan-sion without fragmenting, and deep penetration. A great round for hunters.
Maria B, MA
We used to play with lead sinkers as kids, even biting them to better grip the line. We had no idea that lead was toxic! Now, everyone knows. Its great that there are non-lead choices for fishing!
Lead is not good for you, or wildlife
Lead is very neurotoxic to humans and essentially all wildlife, from honeybees to the critically endangered California Condor, which is why lead has been removed from paint, plumbing and gasoline. Lead toxicity is still a significant problem in cities with old lead water pipes, as the cost of replacing the pipes with copper or PVC is high. Lead contamination was also recently found in over-the-counter protein supplements. Studies on lead contamination in ground venison (hunted with lead ammunition) show that the percentage of contaminated packages varies widely, generally ranging from 15% to over 50%, with some studies finding metal fragments in up to 80% of samples.
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead poisoning can be devastating in children, especially those younger than 6 years old, as it can lead to permanent neurologic damage if it is not diagnosed and treated promptly. A recent study found that childhood exposure to leaded gasoline via car exhaust over the past 75 years is linked to 151 million excess cases of psychiatric disorders in the United States. A previous study showed that higher exposure to lead in childhood is associated with altered brain structure in midlife.
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Critically endangered California Condors continue to die from lead poisoning primarily because they ingest lead fragments from spent ammunition. These scavengers feed on animal carcasses or gut piles, often left behind by hunters. When animals are shot with lead-based bullets, small fragments of the lead are left in the remains, which the Condors unknowingly consume when feeding. Once ingested, even a piece of lead the size of a grain of rice can be absorbed from their gut into their bloodstream, leading to lead poisoning. Eagles and other raptors also ingest lead in a similar manner. Hunters and their families also often ingest lead, as fine particles of lead are often found in the meat of game killed with lead-shot. Lead poisoning has occurred in those who eat game frequently, and studies have also found that people who eat wild game (not taken by archery) have higher blood lead levels on average than those that do not.
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Condors (and eagles) are exceptionally sensitive to lead poisoning. Lead poisoning affects the Condors' nervous system, causing symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, and digestive issues, eventually leading to death if not treated early. Since California Condors are critically endangered, even a small number of deaths from lead poisoning is having a significant impact on the population. Conservation efforts include encouraging hunters to use non-toxic, non-lead (often copper) ammunition, providing lead-free carcasses, banning lead ammo, and providing veterinary care for condors showing signs of poisoning. Here's what often happens with lead-based ammunition:
Waterfowl often ingest lead shot when bottom-feeding in wetlands where lead shot is used. In 1991, due to waterfowl population health concerns, the federal government officially banned the use of lead shot in waterfowl hunting, and it has been replaced with steel shot, tungsten, or other non-toxic metals. Lead bullets/shot and lead fishing tackle are still a huge problem, and this toxic metal needs to be replaced with safer alternatives.​
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Advantages
• Cheap, important if large quantities are used
• Dense, malleable, may create larger wounds
• Versatility - available for nearly all rounds
• Reduced barrel wear for some firearms
• Better at extreme long range, with
low terminal velocities
Disadvantages
​​• Reloading hazards from lead dust / fumes
• Environmental Impact from lead ingestion
• Fragmentation / meat contamination
• Health Risks in wildlife, children & adults​
Lead Bullets
Copper Bullets
Advantages
• Ideal for big game or dangerous game
• Improved ballistics, almost no fragmentation
• Better than most lead bullets at closer ranges
• No jacket/core separation, maintains grain
weight
• No toxic environmental impact
Disadvantages
• Leaves smaller wound cavities
• Cost may be higher
• Must re-sight scope
• More limited availability
Important Facts
Who is at risk?
People are exposed to lead by contaminated water, lead from ammunition, industries like battery manufacture, and even protein supplements! Lead ammunition presents significant health risks to wildlife, as well as people. California Condors, Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, and owls are most susceptible to lead poisoning because they scavenge carcasses and gut piles of animals shot with lead. Swans, loons, ducks, and other waterfowl are often poisoned by ingested lead fishing tackle or lead shot in waterways. Doves and other birds ingest lead shot when eating off the ground in heavily hunted fields, where lead shot is still legal for hunting.
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Lead in Game Meat
Lead is often found in venison and other game meats shot with lead ammo, and lead poisoning has occurred in those who eat game meat frequently. Lead exposure comes from lead fragments from ammunition that can contaminate the meat. Lead projectiles break into hundreds of fragments when they hit something, while copper projectiles retain most of their mass. Smaller particles also have a relatively larger surface area, which leads to proportionately greater exposure than may come from intact pellets. Even if a hunter attempts to remove the largest remaining piece of the bullet from the animal, the tiny fragments of lead will often remain in the meat and gut piles that are left behind in the field. These fragments can be enough to poison both humans and wildlife. The EPA's All Ages Lead Model estimates that a meal of wild game can result in 25 times more lead exposure than background levels. Cooking the meat in an acidic liquid like vinegar or wine increases lead absorption.
The Critically Endangered California Condor
The California Condor Conservation Project may be one of the most expensive species conservation projects in United States history, costing over $35 million, with current costs of about $5,000 per condor per year x 560 condors alive today = $2.8 million/yr. Yet Condors remain on the brink of extinction. Their recovery is "conservation-dependent," with millions of dollars spent every year to try to ensure their survival, primarily because of lead poisoning. Currently, approximately three captive-raised Condors must be released to replace every Condor that dies in the wild. This money and effort could be used for other conservation projects if lead was no longer having such a heavy impact on Condor mortality.
Non-lead Ammunition
Non-lead ammunition is safer for both humans and wildlife populations, and has been proven to be just as effective as lead-based ammo. The ballistics of newer non-lead ammo is often superior to that of lead ammo. Times change! Growing regulatory restrictions and voluntary lead-free compliance world-wide are needed to attempt to save critically endangered species like the California Condor, as well as to protect Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, loons, ducks, and other wildlife from lead poisoning. It's time to get lead out of the environment.
The Present
Lead from hunting ammunition remains the major cause of lead toxicity as well as mortality with Condors and other wildlife. As of July 1, 2019, non-lead ammunition is legally required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California. As of 2026, studies show it is making a difference! The military has also acknowledged the lead problem by encouraging non-lead ammo for hunting on bases such as Fort Bliss in Texas. That's progress! Many hunters are switching to lead-free ammo. But 10-20 MILLION animals are still dying of lead poisoning every year. That is a huge conservation issue.
The Future
There is a movement toward non-lead ammo in many state and national parks and refuges in the U.S., because of the significant impact of lead on the health of Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, other birds and wildlife, and continued concerns about the health impact of lead on humans. Hunting groups are teaming up with conservation groups to encourage the use of non-lead ammo. The impact of environmental lead has become crystal clear. We need to get lead out of the environment! Fortunately, hunters have traditionally been conservationists, and they are responding to the challenge.
Want to learn more about lead poisoning (Lead Toxicosis)?
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Change is happening!
Perspective
Eat Lead???
Lead is poison. Why would we want it on our public lands and in our food?
Lead from bullets and fishing sinkers continue to poison wildlife, hunters, fishermen, and their families
Partnerships
Rebates!
In Alaska, non-lead Ammo is Eligible for the Rebate Program!
Licensed hunters with a mailing address in Alaska are eligible. Rebate of up to $80 off two boxes of copper rifle ammo!
Agencies
More Rebates!
Seven National Wildlife Refuges to Pilot 2024 Incentive-Based Rebate Program for hunters who voluntarily use lead-free ammunition.
Progress
Reproductive Success!
The previous record was set in 1997, when 15 California condor chicks hatched at the zoo.
Mortality from lead poisoning continues to be the primary impediment to recovery of the species.
Reflection
Like Dumping Lead?
Between 12 - 20 MILLION pounds of lead related to hunting ammo and fishing tackle enters our wetlands and waterways EACH YEAR, per the U.S. Geological Survey.
Eliminating lead bullets isn't anti-hunting, it's pro-health for the environment, wildlife, and people!
Conservation
Hunters Lead The Way!
Over 50 organizations join together and seek to expand the coalition of hunters, anglers and other conservationists dedicated to improving ecosystem and wildlife health by choosing non-lead options.
A partnership to conserve wildlife and hunting heritage!