In the past two decades, State, federal, and non–profit organizations
have diligently worked to save and reintroduce the endangered California condor
into the wilds of its former range. These
conservation efforts, including substantial research
investigations, have resulted in the determination that lead toxicity/lead
poisoning is a factor affecting condor health and survival. The Department of
Fish and Game’s mission is to
conserve California’s wildlife for use and enjoyment by the citizens of the
State. Reducing the potential risk to the condor of lead poisoning through big game hunting activities is the intent of this regulation change. Copies of the Initial Statement of Reasons, including the regulatory
language, may be obtained from the address above. Notice of the proposed action shall be posted on the Fish
and Game Commission website at http://www.fgc.ca.gov.
Thursday, 15 March 2007 23:11
State Considering Ban On Lead Bullets For Hunting In Some Areas
The State Department of
Fish and Game is considering
changing the kind of bullets that can be used when hunting certain types of
animals in certain areas. Current regulations provide for methods to be
used in the “taking” of big game. Those methods include the use of the
traditional bullet which contains lead. The new regulation proposed would require non–lead bullets,
muzzleloader balls, and/or shotgun slugs for the taking of big game mammals in
the geographic area inhabited by free–ranging California condors. Alternatives
to the proposed action are “no change” to existing regulation, requiring
non–lead bullets statewide, and extending the Proposed Action to the historic
California condor range which increases the geographic area up into the
Southern Sierra Nevada.
