Hunters urged to switch to copper ammo after bald eagle dies of lead poisoning

[SecularMotion]

The veterinarian and founder of the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is frustrated after a bald eagle died Tuesday from lead poisoning that measured at "over maximum toxicity" levels.

The sick bird, believed to be a female, was found by a Department of Natural Resources worker in Cape Breton and rushed by a relay of volunteers to Helene Van Doninck's eagle pen in Hilden, N.S, on Christmas Eve.

"It was in bad shape," said Van Doninck, a specialist in the rehabilitation of birds of prey. "It was cold, and skinny, and not moving, and breathing funny, and doing all the lead signs."

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/hunters-copper-ammo-cape-breaton-eagle-lead-poisoning-1.3914901

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Copper or steel would be a good alternative, but ...

it would have to be for fishing as well as hunting.

[ManiacJoe]

2. It surprises me that lead shot is still allowed in places for hunting.

[gejohnston]

3. Lead free ammo is coming more common

including self-defense ammo for pistols. IIRC, the US military, if not NATO adopted lead-free.
IIRC, steel shot is required in the US for waterfowl under federal law and will soon be required for all species under California law. I don't don't know if the waterfowl reg is under the Migratory Bird Treaty or not, but the ammo is available and reasonably priced in Canada.
http://www.cabelas.ca/category/steel-non-toxic-shotgun-shells/924

Somebody needs to write their provincial MP.

[DashOneBravo]

4. There a federal law

For using lead free ammo for waterfowl on government land. (May be everywhere ) I know they are very strict around here even checking out your bags.

But people still dove hunt with lead shot.