The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and the North American Lead Free Partnership (NALP) will be hosting three Lead-Free Ammunition Demonstrations on Feb. 22, April 11, and April 25 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.
Subject experts will present information about the biological and ecological impacts of lead-based ammunition and scavenging wildlife, as well as the science of firearm ballistics and performance. After the discussion, NALP will provide a ballistics demonstration using both copper and lead based ammunition.
The information session and demonstration are free of charge, but due to space limitations, participants must pre-register in advance on the Outdoor Skills Network page.
AZGFD's voluntary lead reduction program works to educate hunters on the impacts of lead on scavenging wildlife. Lead poisoning has been identified as the leading cause of diagnosed death in endangered condors and the main obstacle to a self-sustaining population in northern Arizona and southern Utah.
"Telemetry data from GPS wing tags gives us a unique ability to establish causes of mortality in the condors," said Erin Brown, AZGFD Lead Reduction Program coordinator. "However, condors are not the only scavengers affected by lead poisoning and we don't know the full extent for species that we don't use telemetry on."
Studies suggest that lead shot and bullet fragments found in animal carcasses and gut piles are the most likely source of lead exposure. When scavengers feed on these carcasses, they also ingest the lead fragments. In contrast, gut piles from animals harvested with lead-free ammunition provide an important food source for scavenging wildlife and can be left in the field.
Hunters in condor range have the option to receive a free or discounted box of lead-free ammunition or participate in a prize drawing for bringing their lead-laden gut pile to AZGFD staff. On average, 86% of hunters in Game Management Units 12A and 12B (Kaibab Plateau) have been taking part in the department's voluntary lead reduction program over the last several years.
"We want hunters to make an informed choice for their own hunt," said Brown. "That's why it's important to educate people about the ways they can make a difference in reducing lead exposures to all scavenging wildlife."
For more information on condors and lead, visit www.azgfd.gov/condor or www.leadfreepartnership.org/