FAQS

The initiative was designed after Teton Raptor Center researchers confirmed the connection of hunters using lead ammunition to the elevated blood lead levels in ravens and bald eagles. After a pilot outreach effort to supply hunters with lead-free ammunition and seeing a direct correlation in a decline in blood lead levels of these birds, it was determined that a more formal outreach effort was necessary and could work.

We’re not your mama, we’re not going to tell you what to do!

There are several variables to this question.

1) Enforcing lead-free ammunition is incredibly difficult. When you take a ballistic tipped lead bullet and a copper bullet out of a box, it’s extremely hard to tell the difference between the two. Creating a tough job for enforcement personnel such as conservation officers and game wardens.

2) Ammunition for hunting is a VERY small piece of the pie for manufacturing. The process to build lead-free bullets is very different from lead bullets and involves different machines and technology. Forcing all ammunition to be lead-free would drive up the price of ammunition as manufacturers across the board would have to update their machining.

3) Lead is still fine to shoot at the range or trap and skeet clubs. Lead is cheaper than lead-free alternatives, so it’s great for target practice and getting used to your firearm.

4) As sportsmen and women, we know we’re the backbone of conservation. A lot of people are not aware of this issue. As soon as they learn about it, they’re happy to make the switch.

Unfortunately, California led with legislation and not education. They told sportsmen and women what they could and couldn’t do but did not do a good job of explaining why or how. Additionally, California has many other regulations in place that make it difficult for their residents to get ammunition (they cannot order it online and they have to register every box).

While they had good intentions, they’ve created a very difficult platform for residents to positively make the switch.

The North American Non-lead Partnership works with state and federal agency partners to implement lead-free outreach and information. Sporting Lead-Free focuses on individual involvement in awareness, community, and access building.

The short answer is YES.

There is little to no risk when using lead ammo at the range for target practice. Each gun is different and understanding how lead and lead-free perform with your gun is important. Using lead ammo is great for getting used to your trigger, recoil, and general shooting practice at the range. Save lead-free to use in the field.

As a raw metal, copper is more expensive than lead. For centerfire bullets, premium lead bullets like Nosler Partitions or Hornady ELD-X bullets will cost as much, and sometimes more than copper bullets.

Lead-free shotshells can be much more expensive than lead. Save these ones for the field and use your lead shotshells for target practice.

There are awesome performance advantages to lead-free tackle! Check them out here.

Remember that your ammunition and tackle are the most important element of your sporting activity. Much of the time, they’re the only thing that touches the animal. Purchasing good ammunition and tackle is a great investment for the future of hunting and fishing!

The more money we spend on ammunition and tackle, the more money get placed into PR dollars which directly support conservation efforts nationwide.

Every gun shoots every bullet a little differently. It’s important to try a few different brands to see what your gun likes best. Just like shoes, many people’s feet prefer one brand over another.

If you and your friends shoot the same caliber, try buying different brands to share the cost and to see which brand works best for your gun.

Check out a short list of commercial brands here.

We do not. But if you live in Minnesota, check out the Get the Lead Out campaign to trade in your lead tackle for lead-free tackle!

Yes!

Due to its toxicity and durability, lead can remain in the environment for thousands of years, which is why it’s important to recycle lead whenever possible. Contact your local waste collection service and see if they have hazardous waste drop-off.

There are companies that will use the lead to make car batteries, bullets and agricultural components out of recycled lead.

If you have lots of lead ammunition, the range is a great place to get rid of it by shooting it and getting some target practice in while you’re at it!

Copper bullets can be more expensive than lead bullets (but they can also be less expensive, it depends on which lead bullet you’re switching from)

Bullet expansion happens on a continuum. Many bullets will have a larger frontal diameter expansion at 100 yards vs smaller at 500 yards, though expansion still occurs. Copper bullets tend to not expand as much past 600 yards. Though there are new manufacturers coming out with amazing long-range lead-free bullets!

Check out McGuire Ballistics, Cutting Edge Bullets, and Hammer Bullets.

Many hunters don’t learn about this issue when they take hunter education.

Many anglers don’t think about how the birds or fish around them may be impacted by something so small.

Research on this topic of ammunition and tackle impacting non-target wildlife species is still relatively new.

Yes.

Lead ammunition for waterfowl hunting was banned in 1991 following the deaths of many bald eagles from lead poisoning, as well as huge die-offs of waterfowl from ingesting spent shot that was in waterways.

The packaging will have a lead warning on it. If you no longer have the packaging, here are tips that may help.

The reality is that most fishing tackle with any density to it, especially older tackle, contains lead, based on current and historic trends in the tackle industry.

Lead is a dense but soft metal that is easy to mold and shape. Using pliers is a good way to test this out.

Lead is gray and dull. It will leave a gray mark if you scratch it on paper. If there is paint, it will still be able to leave a gray mark after the paint layer is scratched.