Hi,
As you know, lead shot from bird hunting (and in the case of condors
also from bullets in deer/elk carcasses) has been killing other birds for
decades. Here in Washington progress is in the works to end this senseless
killing.
As a result of the 100+ trumpeter swans dying in Whatcom County last
winter from lead poisoning, our WDFW is drafting a document to phase out
lead shot for all bird hunting. It is unknown how many other birds died
secondarily to this from eating poisoned waterfowl. Currently lead shot is
only banned for waterfowl hunting (this is true nationwide although more
states are going to some non-toxic for upland birds in special areas).
Washington just passed a non-toxic shot rule for several of its Wildlife
Management Units where pheasants are released -- but not all unfortunately.
Although the draft document is still not out, there is a group of us who are
looking to put the issue on a faster conversion track to non-toxic shot for
all bird hunting here in Washington. We also know that there are now
non-toxic alternatives for all hunting ammunition and that is eventually
what we want for all hunting. Canada just implemented non-toxic shot for
waterfowl only this past winter season, 15 years after the US.
Lead remaining in the environment will still continue to kill for
decades to come, but at least the number of birds dying will diminish if we
stop the source now.
If you are interested in learning more about this issue or writing
letters of support please contact me below.
We will be doing more monitoring this next year in Whatcom and Skagit
counties for any signs of a repeat of last year's die-off.

Martha Jordan
marthaj at swansociety.org
www.swansociety.org