Starting an Outreach Program for Hunters and Anglers Helene Van Doninck DVM Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Why am I here?
In the beginning The lead made me do it!
Why is this still a problem?
Maybe They Don t Know!
Lead Poisoning in Wildlife and Non-Lead Hunting Helene Van Doninck DVM Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Why am I here?
Not Against Hunting How can I help?
Lead A Local Perspective Lead poisoned Bald Eagles every year 5 in 2011 Mostly at or after deer hunting season. Up to 30% of all eagles admitted have lead poisoning Loons - lead poisoning from eating lead fishing gear
Lead A Wider Perspective 25% + of eagles seen by rehab centres in North America have lead poisoning Lead poisoning seen worldwide anywhere lead ammo and scavengers exist together
Lead
The Issue Lead Based Ammunition
Lead Ammunition Fragments Many studies have shown lead-based bullet fragmentation in a variety of animals worldwide ( MN DNR) When this is left behind in the field ( gut pile) it becomes available to scavengers Human health risks from eating meat harvested with lead
Lead Fragmentation Fragments found up to 18 inches or more from wound channel Fragmentation is worse when a bone is hit Rinsing the wound channel does not help Small fragments undetectable while chewing ( human implications)
White Tailed Deer Avg 160 Fragments Range 2-251
Gut Pile Lead Fragments
Gut Pile
More Fragments if Bone is Hit
More Fragments if Bone is Hit
Varmint Hunting 14 of 15 ground squirrels shot with.22 cal rimfire had visible lead fragments 1 in 5 carcasses had enough lead in them to kill a bald eagle
Lead Fragments Vary in Size
MRI of Packaged Venison
Sources of Lead Ammo Ingestion Gut piles left behind after harvesting an animal Animals shot that were not found Animals shot and left - nuisance wildlife Animals harvested with lead shot ( upland game, hare)
Scavengers on a Carcass in 24 hr
Local Gut Pile Trail Cam
Sources of Lead Ammo Ingestion Livestock euthanized with lead shot Animals dispatched by trappers Lead Fishing sinkers/tackle
Lead Stays in the Body for Life Starts in the digestive tract Acidic environment and grinding action releases to blood system Moves to tissues Eventually gets to brain and bones
Lead Ammunition and Birds Why is this a problem in birds in particular?
Effects are Immediate and Cumulative
Effects of Lead in Wildlife Well Studied 250+ papers Neuro toxin Effects nervous system, blood system, bones, digestion, slows reaction time Decreased brain, liver and kidney functions Decreased muscle mass, blindness Seizures, death Not a fast death
How much lead will kill an eagle? Short answer, not much! Any single fragment can do it depending on weight Less than 100 mg is commonly accepted amount Grains to grams conversion means a 150 grain bullet can kill 10+ eagles, depending on amount ingested 2-3 pcs of standard #6 lead shot
Lead in Eagles
Lead Poisoned Eagle Footage
Lead Poisoning Diagnosis Diagnosis confirmed by blood lead levels Lead in gizzard on Xray Levels rise and fall with deer season in both wild and rehab populations Post mortem diagnosis, liver and kidney levels
Isotope Measurements Ratio of radioactive isotopes can indicate source of lead in birds Similar to fingerprinting Radioactive isotopes link directly to lead ammunition, not background levels
Can this be Treated? Can be treatable depending on level and condition of bird, though often fatal Takes weeks to months Very Preventable!
Jackson Hole Study Study of Eagles and Ravens in National Elk Refuge 3000 + elk harvested per year 400,000+ lead fragments available
Raven Lead Levels
Raven Lead Levels
Eagle Lead Levels
Effects of Using Non-Lead Ammo 25% of hunters voluntarily used non-lead ammo, 24% drop in blood lead 31% of hunters voluntarily used non-lead ammo, 41% drop in blood lead levels Last year, still 50% + used non-lead ammo with no exchange program
Studies Summary Blood lead levels rise during hunting season and fall outside of hunting season 90% of ravens and 93% of eagles were exposed to lead during the hunting season Strong linear relationship between number of elk harvested with lead and mean lead levels in ravens and eagles.
Human Health Implications Many studies on the effects of lead in humans Lead is a toxic heavy metal, this has been known since the Roman Empire Well studied and has lead to management and hunter education recommendations
Human Health Implications Effects include but are not limited to: Neuro toxin Neuro development in children Cognitive dysfunction Liver and bone disease High blood pressure/heart disease Anemia Reproductive dysfunction
No agreement on safe levels for any species, including humans Children are of particular concern
Effects on Children Previously accepted safe levels are being challenged and reviewed
Effects on Children Centers for Disease Control ( CDC) has dropped the acceptable level in children from 10 to 5 ug/dl
Studies Various studies showed that 6-50% of packaged venison contained lead fragments Pigs fed contaminated venison had higher blood lead levels ND compared lead levels in people who ate lead harvested venison with those who did not Higher in those who regularly eat venison
Recommendations from Studies Do not feed lead harvested meat to children under 6 or pregnant women Meat Handling recommendations New overall recommendations based on fragmentation Many food banks reconsidering accepting venison harvested with lead, or at least screening recipients
Minnesota DNR Website Clipping
Minnesota DNR Website Clipping
Recommendations from Studies To avoid problems associated with lead, use non-lead shot!
THE SOLUTION Non-Lead Ammo and Tackle
Reduced or no Fragmentation Toxicity not an issue
Solutions - Copper Does Not Fragment
Lead Ammo
Lead Ammo
Lead Ammo
Lead Ammo
Copper Ammo
Copper Ammo
Ballistics Gel With Lead and Copper
Results from Areas that Switched Voluntary use of non-lead ammo (copper or alloy metal) caused a statistically significant drop in lead levels in eagles and vultures Banned in some areas ( California), signif decrease Removal of gut piles if lead was used
Reduced exposure with reduced Lead
Non lead Performance In studies and hunter surveys of non-lead ammo performance, most say that non-lead ammo is as good or superior to lead. 90% + voluntary compliance with non-lead in AZ AZ study 94% say non-lead is as good or superior
Non-Lead Performance It Speaks for Itself Excellent accuracy, quick kill Near 100% weight retention High level energy release in animal
Non lead Performance Minnesota Deer Hunters Magazine Article Copper becoming bullet of choice Copper can be reloaded
Cost Prices are getting closer between premium lead and copper bullets Demand will drive prices down Can be $10- $20 + more per box At most,1/2 box per hunt =$6-10
Most hunters surveyed would pay $6 extra per hunt to prevent lead ingestion by their families and to prevent accidental poisoning of other wildlife
Cost Ammunition costs make up about 1-2% of the cost to hunt It is necessary to sight in your gun with copper ammo, it will not behave the same as lead.
Lead Poisoning in Loons
Lead Poisoning in Loons
Hunter Outreach Over 80 presentation on lead since Jan 2012 Great response from hunters Tradition as conservationists Many willing to switch Now working on availability of non-lead ammo in Nova Scotia (Canada wide???)
Voluntary Move towards Non-Lead in NS NS Federation of Angler and Hunters Position Press release Sept 15, 2012, Motion PASSED the Federation to take a leadership role in convincing the hunting community to switch to non-lead ammunition because of the health risks to wildlife and humans posed by lead.
Ammo Exchange in Nova Scotia In 2013 the Halifax Wildlife Association applied for and got funding to start an ammo exchange Bring in lead ammo, trade for a box of nonlead ammo Continue with hunter outreach to encourage voluntary transition to non-lead ammo/tackle
Ammo Exchange
Feast in the Highlands First Nations
Ammo Exchange
Ammo Exchange
NS DNR Staff Stops Using Lead Ammo Dec 20, 2013
Availability of Non-Lead Ammo
Availability of Non-Lead ammo Most ammo manufacturers now supply nonlead ammo Barnes, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, Nosler, etc Presently 314 cartridge designations loaded by 33 manufacturers available for sale 54 calibers between.172 and.58 available as components
Availability of Non-Lead ammo Demand will drive availability and prices Hunters/Anglers have a lot of power over this issue Support your local ammo/tackle supplier Ask for non-lead choices where you buy your ammunition and fishing tackle Most ( almost all) calibers are available, contact me for help
Conclusion This is a problem with a solution Consider voluntary use of non-lead ammo Ask for non-lead choices where you buy ammunition
Conclusion Impacts of lead based ammunition is well studied in over 130 species worldwide, including humans Claims that there is a lack of evidence are false Make an informed decision
Conclusion If you use lead: be responsible for your bullet don t let it kill unintended wildlife Bury or take gut pile Do not leave shot carcasses
Conclusion Nova Scotia is a leader in this issue Atlantic provinces? Canada wide? Let s work together on this
You can do this! If not us, who will?
Can you talk to hunters and anglers in an objective manner?
You Can Do This! You? Hunter in your org? You + hunter? I can help Me?
Know your audience Be able to talk intelligently about firearms and ammunition Seek common ground Present as information, not as a lecture Encourage verification, research Offer help, contact me!
Research International Hunter Education Association homestudy.ihea.com/index.htm Hunting /Ammo Videos The Non-Lead Hunter Anthony Prieto vimeo.com/37272263 Hunting with Non-Lead Bullets www.huntingwithnonlead.org/
Want more info? www.cwrc.net www.huntingwithnonlead.org Watch The Non-Lead Hunter Video Facebook and Twitter Non-Lead Nova Scotia and NonLeadNS Watch Youtube Removing the Lead from Wildlife and Wildlands Craighead Beringia South
How can I help? helene.birdvet@gmail.com 902-893-0253 www.cwrc.net
Acknowledgements Marge Gibson Raptor Education Group Nova Scotia Bird Society Anthony Prieto The Non Lead Hunter Bryan Bedrosian - Beringia South Research Group Dr. Pat Redig The Raptor Centre Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists Dr. Dave McRuer Wildlife Center of VA. Halifax Wildlife Association NS Federation of Anglers and Hunters NS Dept of Natural Resources
Questions?