MEET AMBASSADOR LIZ
I've had a lifelong love of all things outdoorsy since I grew up in northern, suburban New Jersey. It wasn't until I had spent a few years living and working as an archaeologist in rural places within western states that I decided to trade being a non-meat-eater for being an omnivore focused on "slow" food. So, hunting was initially a food-focused pursuit for me, but it quickly became so much more: a means of connecting directly and intimately with the natural world around me; a way to befriend likeminded people; a reason to engage more with the policy and research that influence natural resource management. My life's better for having hunting and conservation in it!
Why are you passionate about going lead-free?
As a conservation-minded hunter, I believe strongly in striving to do the right thing, both afield and at home, and science-driven wildlife and habitat management. There's ample scientific evidence to indicate that ingesting lead is not only harmful to humans who hunt and eat wild game, but to our target species (and their neighbors) in the wild lands and waters we all share, too. If my choice to go lead-free has the potential to positively impact my own health and the health of those things nearest and dearest to me-- well, the right thing to do seems like a clear, easy choice. Hunters have an obligation to give back to the land and wildlife that sustain us, and going lead-free is one of many ways to do exactly that.
What do you like to hunt?
Big game, Upland game, Waterfowl, Small game/varmint. All but fur bearers and "predators" (coyotes, wolves, bears, etc.)
How do you like to fish?
Fly fishing. Hoping to try ice fishing in the future, and I grew up spin casting/saltwater fishing. I'm very new to fly fishing and don't do it a lot, but I enjoy it!
Do you have anything else you would like to share?
I really look forward to learning more about the latest peer-reviewed research that examines the negative impacts of lead ingestion, lead toxicity, etc. for humans, game species, non-game species, and habitat!