Help save California condors from lead poisoning...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

Go to http://www.nrdcaction.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=53813
and urge California state officials to ban the use of lead ammunition for
hunting in counties where condors live.

Since 1992, nine condors are known to have died from ingesting fragments of lead bullets. Lead poisoning is highly suspected in the deaths of more than 15 other condors. With only 138 birds left in the wild, these statistics appear devastating. We cannot afford to lose one more bird to something that is so easily prevented.

[faithnotgreed]

1. kicking - thank you for caring so much to post this goddess

[michreject]

2. With most guns

lead is the only kind of bullets available. Only shotguns can use steel shot, but all rifle and handgun ammo is made of lead. Granted some are encapsulated but lead none the less.

I hate to see anything go extinct but what would you propose?:shrug:

[Solo_in_MD]

3. Steel bullets = Cop Killer bullets (per the uninformed and gun grabbers)

There is no other option available for anything but shotguns.

[michreject]

4. The so called cop killer bullet is actually a linotype bullet

It's composition is an alloy consisting of 4% tin, 12% antimony and 84% lead. You would think it was steel. It's hard. Incresing the tin percentage makes the bullet even harder. They do have a steel core.

[Solo_in_MD]

6. Not always

There were also copper jacketed steel bullets from the eastern bloc being sold in the US quite legally as cheaping plinking rounds 9mm IIRC). While not the nylon coated cop killers Charlie Rangel and others raved about and the entertainment media played up, they also preforated kevlar vest readily.

[michreject]

11. Like Wolf or Silver Bear?

Two cops did get killed with the so called cop killer bullets. One got shot in the head and the other one didn't have a second chance vest on. Since the ban, not a single cop has been killed with one.:sarcasm:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. From the Arizona Fish and Game website:

High performance all-copper bullets are now available in most rifle calibers. In comparison to lead and copper-jacketed bullets, all-copper bullets do not fragment and are far less toxic. Scavengers like the condor are less likely to ingest one large mushroomed bullet versus many small bullet fragments scattered throughout a carcass or gut pile. Shotgun, pistol, and muzzleloader ammunition are also available in high performing non-lead alternatives. There are also non-lead alternatives for hand-loaders.

http://www.gf.state.az.us/w_c/california_condor_lead.shtml

[Solo_in_MD]

7. You might want to check their ballistics and effectiveness

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. Also from the website:

In fall 2005, as part of an effort to reduce lead exposure in condors, the Arizona Game and Fish Department offered non-lead rifle ammunition to big game hunters in Units 12A and 12B, the area condors frequent most. The hunters responded, and 65% participated in this program paid for by the Heritage Fund (state lottery revenue). Thanks to the efforts of these and other hunters who took lead reduction actions during their 2005 hunt in condor range, condor lead exposure rates declined by 40% from the previous year. This marks the first decline in condor lead exposure rates since testing began in 2000. According to post-hunt survey results, 93% of successful hunters who used the non-lead ammunition said it performed as well as or better than lead bullets. In addition, 72% of all hunters said they would recommend the 100% copper bullets to other hunters. The free non-lead ammunition program will continue in 2006, and we hope to see an even higher participation rate.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. tweaking

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. again

[leftchick]

10. Thank You

God Help ALL Of The Animals.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. Thank you!

:yourock: