Policy comparison of lead hunting ammunition bans and voluntary nonlead programs for California condors

Abstract

The endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is negatively affected by lead poisoning from spent lead-based hunting ammunition. Because lead poisoning is the primary mortality factor affecting condors, the California Fish and Game Commission banned lead hunting ammunition during 2008 in the southern California condor range followed by a statewide ban implemented in 2019. In contrast, the Arizona Game and Fish Department instituted an outreach and awareness program encouraging voluntary use of nonlead hunting ammunition in the northern portion of the state during 2005 and a similar program was launched in Utah during 2012.The juxtaposition of policy tools provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the intended efforts to mitigate lead exposure in condors and their respective positive and negative effects.Herein we reflect upon the effectiveness of lead policy actions in the 3-state region on the basis of condor blood-lead levels, population status, and hunter awareness of the issue and use of nonlead hunting ammunition.

Special Section on Lead Ammunition

“…Hanley et al (2023) provide an evaluation of the long-term effects of lead ingestion on a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) population in New York, describing how lead poisoning likely dampened the rate of increase in population size.Several papers deal with the factors influencing hunter use of non-lead ammunition Schulz et al (2023). examine many of the complexities in the debate between mandatory and voluntary non-lead use for nonwaterfowl hunting and the effectiveness of voluntary programs in reducing lead ingestion in California condors (Gymnogyps californianus).…”