Justin Hill
NR320
The Lead Ban
The ban on the use of lead in hunting and fishing equipment has long been a debate among scientists, hunters, anglers and the general public. This debate focuses on the impacts that lead has on animals and humans. Due to this debate there have been a significant number of studies done to try and understand the affects that lead has on animals and the environment. After evaluating and compiling these studies some scientists have proposed a solution and would like to impose a new regulation- a total ban- on the use of lead in hunting and fishing.
Most research that has been done suggests that lead has an overall negative effect on the ecosystem and most of all the animals that live there. Some research suggests that large amounts of lead, over time, can break down and cause groundwater contamination in some areas. These areas would include shooting ranges as well as any areas that are heavily hunted. Studies also suggest that lead has negative affects on many different wildlife species such as; birds, scavengers, and some mammals. Although all of these studies suggest negative impacts on certain wildlife, fish seem to be generally unaffected. We have the research but the question still lingers. Should the DNR impose a regulation to ban the use of lead in hunting and fishing?
I think a complete ban of lead in all hunting equipment is necessary, but I believe that the lead ban needs to be gradually imposed over time. I think that hunters should start by gradually weening themselves off the use of lead shot and start using other metals such as steel. The DNR should set a date in the near future, say 4 years, where up until that date hunters can use the lead ammunition for hunting purposes. This way hunters can use up their lead ammunition and not have it go to waste while shot shell manufacturers can gradually switch over to making shot shells with other types of metals. After that set date no more lead shot will be allowed to be sold or used for hunting.
On the other hand, I don't believe that there is a need for the lead ban in fishing equipment. Research suggests that fish are generally unaffected by the presence of lead and that the cause of lead poisoning in birds, scavengers, and mammals come from mainly lead in hunting equipment, not fishing equipment. This is because, unlike lead in bird shot, lead in fishing equipment, such as split shots (sinkers), can be used over and over again without being placed permanently into the environment. Sure, people lose split shots on occasion, but that’s generally not enough lead to negatively effect the surrounding habitat or to the animals that live there.
I believe that a lead ban in hunting equipment, such as bird-shot, is necessary and I think it would be beneficial to the environment and to everyone who enjoys the outdoors if it were placed into effect. With that being said, I also believe that, fishing equipment should be exempt from the lead ban due to the research that suggests that lead in fishing equipment has smaller effects on the environment.
Reference Article: Concerns Rise Over Known and Potential Impacts of Lead on Wildlife, National Wildlife Health Center
3 comments:
Not only has lead been debated upon in the Natural Resource field but as many of you know lead paint has been illegal to produce and use since 1978. More recently stronger regulations have come about that contractors and painters legally have to follow. The new rules have been inacted to protect the safety of the resident while the paint is being removed specifically focusing removal of the paint after it has been scraped off. I think that you have a great idea on how to inact a new regulation by weening the hunters off the shot. If they are looking for a quicker response to the problem going right to the ammunition manufacturer and giving benefits to those companies that stop making the lead shot could also be an option.
I agree with the slow removal of lead shot and replacing it with steel. Slow removal will make the transition easy for both hunters and manufacturers. Steel shot is already being used for waterfowl so it can easily be implemented as the only shot allowed. As far as not having any regulations or removing lead from fishing lures I dont agree with. Yes, there is a lot less impact on the environment from fishing tackle, but as long as lead is being removed from one sport, it might as well be taken out of both. The dangers of lead are known, and why let it keep poisoning the water, even if it is on a low scale, if we can do something about it.
Joe, thats a great point. I guess I never thought about combining both sports in an all lead ban. Might as well enforce a total lead ban for both sports, hunting and fishing, insead of just one or the other. So maybe that's something the DNR should consider.
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