Colorado Lead-Free Pilot Program

[Upwolf]

CPW is asking hunter's to participate in a lead-free pilot program in select units for 2025 deer/elk rifle hunts where where is a known presence of bald and golden eagle activity.

I'm curious about this. My initial thoughts are that I can imagine a shotgun blast of lead pellets could have an adverse effect on such birds of prey, but how much would a single projectile (that likely would have a pass through on deer) really effect these birds? Is there research available on this topic that you guys have found to be a good read?

I'm willing to switch to copper for the season I have this year as I'm not really dead set on shooting lead. Do you guys/gals think that Colorado is trending towards lead-free units altogether?

 

[Harvey_NW]

This Hunt Backcountry Podcast is worth a listen.

 

[Upwolf]

Pretty much exactly what I'm looking for, and they include written articles (even though they are both written by jim)... Still good information. Thanks.

 

[ElGuapo]

My Gawd, they really are trying to become California….. Stupid is as Stupid Does….

 

[Huntinmechanic]

CO hunters know what Polis is aiming for. Stay steadfast and fight hard! The lead ammo ban in CA was one of the first domino's to drop in what will eventually be a ban on hunting altogether in the state. Mismanagement of predator and prey species, hound hunting ban, reintroduction of apex predators, taxes on guns and ammo, never ending BS regulations.... All of this lead to the death of what was once, IMHO, the greatest state in the union. Resource rich, diverse landscapes, diverse animal species and countless awesome places to recreate outdoors.

 

[slatebuilder]

This move should not come as a surprise. Some of the biggest names in the hunting influencer space have advocated for giving non hunters a seat at the wildlife management negotiating table. Now the non’s have their seatS. These non hunters do not want a seat at the table. They want to smash the table and burn the pieces.

Take a look at Colorado’s recent commission appointments. How about the recent trapping ban? The leadership in Colorado would love an outright hunting ban.

These are the same people who believe there are more than two genders. How can anyone actually think we will have a conversation based on science with these people?

 

[Jstumbaugh]

NY is pushing to ban lead ammo on state land. Its just a matter of time. They tried to push it through in 2023 also.

 

[OXN939]

how much would a single projectile (that likely would have a pass through on deer) really effect these birds?

Quite a bit. Thousands of microfragments of lead are created every time a bullet moving over 2K FPS impacts an animal, and they are concentrated into a gut pile that enters the food chain through scavenging. Blood lead levels of scavenging birds have been proven to increase during hunting season. Using lead free ammo for big game hunting eliminates this issue.

That being said, these commie states like CO and CA mandating changes to the way we hunt is obviously a slippery slope. Honestly a tough situation though, because there is obviously an issue. If you have questions about switching, feel free to shoot me a PM- I've been shooting exclusively copper with great results for a decade

 

[slatebuilder]

We have seen some of the greatest conservation success stories in the world in the form of raptor recovery. When I was a teenager seeing a bald eagle was a big deal, now they are everywhere. All of this happened while the world was using lead ammunition. If raptor conservation was a concern there would be way less windmills. This is not about conservation.

 

[MuleyFever]

UT had a lead free program for the Zion unit to try and reduce the possibility of a Condor getting into lead in a carcass. I dont know if they still do it. You can sign up and they gave a vouture for a free box of ammo. They also entered all the participants into a drawing for prozes.

 

[mt terry d]

Blood lead levels of scavenging birds have been proven to increase during hunting season.

That statement is virtually meaningless. It's exactly what we get from the game "management" people all the time; and the dupes fall for it every time.

 

[hibernation]

Bald eagles are doing incredibly well, populations are double what they were just a few decades ago. Golden eagles and a few other raptors, not so much. Lead from gut piles can affect them, they’re very sensitive to lead, but I don’t think population level impacts are known.

 

[Jbehredt]

This a isn't a study. They aren’t looking for information. They’re trying to implement their plan (CA’s plan with a few year delay) without burning too much political capital.

 

[displacedtexan]

Quite a bit. Thousands of microfragments of lead are created every time a bullet moving over 2K FPS impacts an animal, and they are concentrated into a gut pile that enters the food chain through scavenging. Blood lead levels of scavenging birds have been proven to increase during hunting season. Using lead free ammo for big game hunting eliminates this issue.

That being said, these commie states like CO and CA mandating changes to the way we hunt is obviously a slippery slope. Honestly a tough situation though, because there is obviously an issue. If you have questions about switching, feel free to shoot me a PM- I've been shooting exclusively copper with great results for a decade

I've actually done some stuff with the long time head biologist at the Sutton Center. I really blew my mind how much lead fragments. Even cup and core bullets.

He's a hunter, very pro 2a and small government. Also very pro not hunting with lead.

Lead-poisoning of Eagles – Sutton Center https://www.suttoncenter.org/conservation/saving-species/bald-eagles/lead-poisoning-eagles/

 

[displacedtexan]

Bald eagles are doing incredibly well, populations are double what they were just a few decades ago. Golden eagles and a few other raptors, not so much. Lead from gut piles can affect them, they’re very sensitive to lead, but I don’t think population level impacts are known.

Not up organically though.

Bald Eagle Recovery – Sutton Center https://share.google/0slLDL02oClTvbcd6

 

[WRO]

I've actually done some stuff with the long time head biologist at the Sutton Center. I really blew my mind how much lead fragments. Even cup and core bullets.

He's a hunter, very pro 2a and small government. Also very pro not hunting with lead.

Lead-poisoning of Eagles – Sutton Center https://www.suttoncenter.org/conservation/saving-species/bald-eagles/lead-poisoning-eagles/

Bald eagles are just sea gulls with a good marketing job and golden eagles are hell on sheep and fawns.

 

[S.Clancy]

Lead poisoning absolutely kills raptors. Most of their populations are high enough that they can sustain the mortality just fine. The last time I looked it was something like 1-2%.

Now, condors can't sustain the mortality since there is something like 300-350 alive in the wild. Every source of mortality matters at that point.

For those wondering, the reason birds are more susceptible to lead poisoning is because the lead fragments get stuck in their digestive tract for long periods of time (primarily gizzard) where the lead can leach out and enter the blood stream.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I’d be real curious as to what Raptor species haven’t migrated out of CO by Rifle season, and how many and % remain in the Mtn’s through late fall winter.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Bald eagles are just sea gulls with a good marketing job and golden eagles are hell on sheep and fawns.

Bingo… they are majestic, but hang out in the PNW or Alaska for 10 min and they are exactly as you described. This is nothing more than another annoying attack. Don’t shoot copper, not interested in starting but it’s far more expensive no? It’s a war of attrition

 

[Hnthrdr]

I’d be real curious as to what Raptor species haven’t migrated out of CO by Rifle season, and how many and % remain in the Mtn’s through late fall winter.

Maybe some in the valleys? I’ve hunted a bunch around Walden and seen a few down there in Oct…