That is true. Lead ammunition is banned for the hunting of waterfowl in the U.S. but still permitted when hunting other game. Shotguns are used the most for deer hunting in the eastern part of Virginia. Turkeys and other small game animals are also hunted with shotguns using lead shot throughout the state. This seems to be a growing problem.
As @Talyn mentioned a known issue and although it’s declining it’s still a problem, one of the biggest issues is lead weights for fishing and although many states are starting to ban the use it’s been done for so long it will take decades for lead to be removed to safe levels in the environment.
Some of the issues are when turkeys and deer are shot but don’t die right away and hunters fail to find the animals or don’t bother looking, the animal will then die and then a scavenger will find it and eat it.
While this was a case of roadkill, it would be the same if the deer had died as a result of being shot.
Sadly most likely a road kill but the picture reinforces how Eagles are scavenger/carrion eaters.
I appreciate your ethics Hans.
If I understand your question, in regards to fishing mainly catch and release often the lead weight is swallowed and if an Eagle happens to catch that fish? Lead poisoning.
www.foundryoutdoors.com
I usually run bismuth for upland hunting on public land.A Guide to Non-toxic Shotshells
In 1991, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) banned the use of lead shot for hunting migratory waterfowl because it was discovered that certain bottom-feeding waterfowl species such as diving ducks, loons, and swans were inadvertently ingesting spent lead shot while feeding on aquatic...
Honestly?
Here is another good article about the dangers of lead in wildlife:
Have they banned lead on private land? I know lead is banned for muzzleloaders who hunt on public land in Cali.
