Lead-free ammo safer for humans, animals

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department encourages hunters to voluntarily use non-lead ammunition.

Lead bullets scatter lead fragments well beyond the point of entry as they expand. These fragments can be ingested by wildlife when they scavenge carcass remains or gut piles. Even small amounts of lead can cause health problems and death for wildlife, especially for birds such as bald eagles, crows, ravens, and vultures that feed on these remains.

Lead is also a proven human health concern, and lead particles in game meat are often too small to detect by sight, feel or taste.

Nonlead big game ammunition with copper or copper alloy bullets is now produced by most ammunition companies, and, while a little more expensive, it is a healthier choice, for humans and animals.

Nonlead shotgun shells have been required by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for waterfowl hunting since 1991.

To learn more about switching to nonlead ammunition go to www.leadfreepartnership.org/ online.