Transitioning to non-toxic ammunition: Making change happen

Cromie, Ruth; Newth, Julia L.; Strong, Emily

doi:10.1007/s13280-019-01204-y

Cited by 16 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…In response to the health threats posed by toxic lead to humans and scavenging wildlife, there is currently a focus on transitioning from lead-based to lead-free (non-lead) bullets for shooting (i.e., harvesting, culling, recreational hunting) of wild animals [ 1 , 2 ]. Concurrently, attention devoted to animal welfare in wildlife management has increased markedly, including for shooting methods [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of fragmenting lead-based and lead-free bullets for aerial shooting of wild pigs

et al. 2021

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In response to the health threats posed by toxic lead to humans, scavenging wildlife and the environment, there is currently a focus on transitioning from lead-based to lead-free bullets for shooting of wild animals. We compared efficiency metrics and terminal ballistic performance for lead-based and lead-free (non-lead) bullets for aerial shooting of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in eastern Australia. Ballistic testing revealed that lead-based and lead-free bullets achieved similar performance in precision and muzzle kinetic energy (E0) levels (3337.2 J and 3345.7 J, respectively). An aerial shooting trial was conducted with wild pigs shot with one type of lead-based and one type of lead-free bullets under identical conditions. Observations were made from 859 shooting events (n = 430 and 429 respectively), with a sub-set of pigs examined via gross post-mortem (n = 100 and 108 respectively), and a further sub-set examined via radiography (n = 94 and 101 respectively). The mean number of bullets fired per pig killed did not differ greatly between lead-based and lead-free bullets respectively (4.09 vs 3.91), nor did the mean number of bullet wound tracts in each animal via post-mortem inspection (3.29 vs 2.98). However, radiography revealed a higher average number of fragments per animal (median >300 vs median = 55) and a broader distribution of fragments with lead-based bullets. Our results suggest that lead-based and lead-free bullets are similarly effective for aerial shooting of wild pigs, but that the bullet types behave differently, with lead-based bullets displaying a higher degree of fragmentation. These results suggest that aerial shooting may be a particularly important contributor to scavenging wildlife being exposed to lead and that investigation of lead-free bullets for this use should continue.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of fragmenting lead-based and lead-free bullets for aerial shooting of wild pigs

et al. 2021

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“…Our data from natural resource professionals demonstrate the ongoing need to incorporate social science into outreach programs (Manfredo, Teel, Gavin, & Fulton, 2014), especially those programs attempting to change hunter attitudes, intentions, and behavior toward the use of nonlead ammunition as echoed by others (Cromie, Newth, & Strong, 2019;Grade et al, 2019;Newth et al, 2019;.…”

Section: Conclusion and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…stakeholders, individuals open to change and those favoring the status quo were able to find consensus among several factors; e.g., all stakeholders should be included in policy decisions (Newth et al, 2019). Recognizing attitudinal similarities and differences among comparison groups may improve the effectiveness of future outreach efforts by helping reach different segments of the target population Dervin & Foreman-Wernet, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Understanding experiences and perceptions of hunters are critical for the development of successful of voluntary nonlead programs. Newth et al (2019), for example, found the perceptions of U.K. ammunition users varied based on whether they were open to change or favored the status quo. However, both groups agreed lead is toxic, policy discussions should be inclusive, and persuasive outreach should be presented by the shooting community.…”

Section: Voluntary Nonlead Ammunition Outreach Programsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With these challenges in mind, several studies have either investigated or recommended the need to change hunters' and anglers' attitudes and behavior toward lead poisoning and nonlead alternatives. In the United Kingdom (U.K.), hunter perspectives towards lead ammunition varied but there was a general consensus that lead is toxic, all stakeholders need to participate in policy discussions, and nonlead messages from the shooting community would be persuasive (Newth et al, 2019). Another study of Minnesota small game hunters found simple factual messages, messages with references to reputable hunting organizations, and first-person narratives elicited positive attitudes and greater support for a lead ammunition ban (Schroeder et al, 2012).…”

Section: Nonlead Alternatives and Behavioral Changementioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of a voluntary nonlead ammunition outreach program on midwestern national wildlife refuges

Schulz¹

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Lead exposure from spent hunting ammunition affects wildlife populations, human health, and poses challenges to natural resource management. In addition to existing data on this topic spanning [greater than] 100-years, data from the Upper Midwestern, United States (U.S.) demonstrated bald eagles have greater risk of lead poisoning by ingesting lead bullet fragments in gut piles and unretrieved carcasses related to deer hunting. In response, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 3 established an outreach program during 2016â€"2018 encouraging deer hunters to use nonlead ammunition while deer hunting on 54 National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). This project used a mixed methods approach incorporating 12 structured observations of presentations given at four managed hunts, 29 semi-structured interviews of program staff, and an online survey of 325 NWR staff. Objectives were to (1) examine lead exposure risks and suggest communication strategies, (2) explore attitudes and experiences of NWR staff implementing the program, (3) examine staff attitudes about threats to bald eagles, lead poisoning in bald eagles, human health risks, use of nonlead hunting ammunition, and socio-economic ammunition factors, (4) examine factors influencing program support by staff, and (5) assess structured observations of nonlead presentations. Correspondingly, this research resulted in four manuscripts and an additional research note aligned with the objectives above. Five key findings were demonstrated by this research. First, the risk of lead exposure from spent hunting ammunition is a multi-dimensional complex issue affecting wildlife and human health with voluntary programs primarily addressing the issue. Although little used in the past, social science theory has the potential to provide a useful framework for evaluating voluntary nonlead ammunition programs. Second, semi-structured interviews of USFWS staff resulted in 12 broad themes organized around three categories: (1) challenges within the agency, (2) effects of contextual factors on program implementation, and (3) the effect of different elements observed to be present/absent in successful voluntary conservation programs. Third, an online survey showed differences in attitudes among staff who hunters and nonhunters, lead or nonlead ammunition use by hunters, and likely or unlikely future nonlead use by hunters. Fourth, the survey also demonstrated program support was greatest among refuge staff who strongly agreed with problems related to bald eagles and lead exposure, individuals who strongly agreed with the importance of informational program materials, and individuals with higher levels of innovation characteristics. Fifth, a descriptive assessment of presentations at managed deer hunts showed less than four minutes on average were spent discussing the issue with minimal hunter interest observed. Findings from this study provide suggestions for improving future nonlead outreach with additional staff training, audience segmentation with targeted messaging for different audiences, broadening the scope of outreach to include human health lead risks, and relevance of nonhunters as stakeholders. Methodologically, this study was the first application mixed methods to explore attitudes and behaviors of natural resource professionals implementing a nonlead outreach program using structured observations, semi-structured interviews, and an online survey. Bridging across multiple disciplines, this study developed a broader theoretical perspective for dealing with a complex socio-political landscape with a mixture of competing values, ethics, and worldviews among stakeholders. This study also showed the value of recognizing nonhunters as an important target audience, especially human health lead risks.

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Evaluation of self‐regulation by the hunting community: A case study on the voluntary restraint of woodcock hunting in the UK

McNicol,

Ellis,

Madden

2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Behaviour change through voluntary action can be an important approach to reducing human impacts on biodiversity. One example is self‐regulation in hunting, potentially a vital contributory factor in improving the sustainability of wild bird harvest. There has been a growing realisation among woodcock Scolopax rusticola hunters, reinforced by advice from sector organisations, that components of the UK woodcock populations are declining and that some aspects of woodcock hunting, specifically timing of harvest, may contribute to these. This study utilised five qualitative and quantitative data sets, collected for different purposes, to assess the behaviour and attitudes of woodcock hunters, both currently and over the past century. In the UK, relatively few woodcock are harvested and few hunters or species‐specific shoots target them. An estimated 26%–29% of lowland shoots advertise or harvest woodcock, with fewer than 5% of shoots or hunters participating in ‘woodcock specific’ shoot days. The number of birds harvested has fallen in recent years and is estimated to be between 62,000 and 140,000. Qualitative data suggests that over 90% of hunters now report shooting woodcock only after the recommended date of 1st December, or not at all. This is reflected in bag data which shows that, since 2018, fewer than 3%–13% of woodcock shot were harvested prior to 1st December. Around a third of hunters have reported stopping shooting woodcock and it is likely the harvest will decline in coming years due to voluntary restraint. This work demonstrates both through self‐report data and independent harvest data that behaviour change among hunters can be effected. This provides a working example where self‐regulation in response to a collective sector‐led effort has the potential to conserve wild quarry.

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Transitioning to non-toxic ammunition: Making change happen

Cited by 16 publications

References 30 publications

A comparison of fragmenting lead-based and lead-free bullets for aerial shooting of wild pigs

A comparison of fragmenting lead-based and lead-free bullets for aerial shooting of wild pigs

Assessment of a voluntary nonlead ammunition outreach program on midwestern national wildlife refuges

Evaluation of self‐regulation by the hunting community: A case study on the voluntary restraint of woodcock hunting in the UK

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