Ban Lead In AZ ....... ?

[JohnHenry]

Seems like these guys have pushed for this before .... some "people" never learn ;

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012...an-toxic-lead/

[Ed~]

Kim Crumbo, conservation director for the Grand Canyon Wildlands Council, said the danger posed by lead ammunition isn’t an anti-hunting issue.

“It’s a responsible hunting issue,” he said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has banned the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting nationally because the pellets poison birds that eat them off the bottoms of streams and lakes. In 2007, California required non-lead ammunition for hunting big game and coyotes in the California condor’s range.

Since the (condors) were reintroduced in northern Arizona in 1996, 21 have died from lead poisoning in Arizona and Utah and many more have been treated for lead poisoning. Miller said the situation makes the condors more like zoo animals.

“They get lead poisoning and are captured, they’re fed and they’re prevented from being wild animals,” he said.

Kathy Sullivan, condor program coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said the agency opposes the petition because lead ammunition is something states should regulate. She noted that a voluntary Game and Fish program offers coupons for free non-lead ammunition to hunters with tags for big game in condor territory and educates about the importance of removing gut piles when hunters use lead ammunition.

Forget about fear of banning lead-shot for a second and take a step back. Read that last part: "free non-lead ammunition to hunters with tags for big game in condor territory."

Fact is, animals are being sickened and killed by eating lead shot.

I, too, think this is not an anti-hunting issue but about responsible hunting. Non-lead shot is more expensive which is why this is even an issue with most people. But heck, if they are providing non-lead ammo for free I'd go for that...

I won't take a shot unless it is a clean kill and try never to be in a hurry. I don't take a life unless I intend to honor it by consuming my quarry. I bet most hunters share that philosophy. It follows then that if we don't eat lead spoiled meat, we don't do honor by letting animals get sick in nature from lead either.

More and more people are owning guns and going hunting. That means more ammo is being used in natural habitats. If the facts point to a danger, then let's face the facts and make some changes to solve the problem.

It doesn't have to involve banning anything with legislation. It could be more along the lines of education and subsidized lead-free shots programs like what our AZ Fish & Game did. But either way, this issue is only going to grow along with the number of gun enthusiasts.

It ain't gonna disappear unless we meet it head on. And you don't solve the problem by blaming the messenger.

[millwright]

Of course all of this lead "Hoo-ha" has little scientific support ! I suspect most "gut piles" are consumed by coyotes and other scavengers long before condors get to them ! And is there any "proof" all gut piles contain more than microscopic traces of lead ? If a bullet completely penetrates an animal and is encapsulated in dirt, how does it pose "risk" to a condor ? FTM, just how much lead - in grains/per/lb of body weight constitutes a "toxic dose" to a condor ?

IOW, lets take the "emotional aspect" out of this discussion and deal in known science !

I would also hasten to point out the funds supporting the condor and a host of other species come from the voluntary contributions of sportspersons via their purchases of sporting equipment and game licenses. How many of the "opposition" contribute their post-tax dollars to do the same ? >MW

[JohnBrainard]

Nothing is free. Someone's paying for the ammo somewhere. My guess is the tax payers are paying for it. Now that I'm a tax paying resident of Arizona, I'm going to be forced to pay for other people's ammo as well as mine? I moved here to get away from that kind of ridiculousness!

[armoredman]

I sincerely doubt that lead in animals is killing anything but the animal it is shot into at the time. The amounts are far too small.

[Jerryboy]

Originally Posted by JohnBrainard

Nothing is free. Someone's paying for the ammo somewhere. My guess is the tax payers are paying for it. Now that I'm a tax paying resident of Arizona, I'm going to be forced to pay for other people's ammo as well as mine? I moved here to get away from that kind of ridiculousness!

So you'd rather that tax money go to pay for thirteen year old girls to have abortions, or for sick perverts to get sex changes, or to provide cars, houses, and greenstamps to illegals?

I tell you what, I would not mind paying taxes in the least if my tax money would go to good causes!

[JohnBrainard]

Originally Posted by Jerryboy

So you'd rather that tax money go to pay for thirteen year old girls to have abortions, or for sick perverts to get sex changes, or to provide cars, houses, and greenstamps to illegals?

I tell you what, I would not mind paying taxes in the least if my tax money would go to good causes!

No. I'd rather there be fewer taxes so people could choose for themselves what they do with their own money.

[Conman]

Quote: Since the (condors) were reintroduced in northern Arizona in 1996, 21 have died from lead poisoning in Arizona and Utah and many more have been treated for lead poisoning. Unquote


Sorry.........I do not believe this information!!!!!!!

[nomad2010]

Originally Posted by Conman

Quote: Since the (condors) were reintroduced in northern Arizona in 1996, 21 have died from lead poisoning in Arizona and Utah and many more have been treated for lead poisoning. Unquote


Sorry.........I do not believe this information!!!!!!!

Let's look at this logically.

Before being reintroduced to Arizona, there were no lead poisoned condors. Therefore, the people that reintroduced the condors caused them to come in contact with lead.
Thus, the people that reintroduced the condors are responsible for the death of said condors.