Publisher's Synopsis
Across the U.S., the topic of lead use in recreational hunting and fishing has increasingly attracted the attention of a wide array of audiences. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that 6 to 10 thousand tons of lead are released into the environment by hunters and anglers each year, and documentation of the toxic effects on wildlife has accumulated over time. Over 500 peer reviewed articles, for example, have examined the impacts of lead ammunition on wildlife. An estimated 134 species, including reptiles, birds, and mammals, have been poisoned by ingesting lead from spent ammunition and fishing tackle in the environment, and similar pathways exist for humans. Despite concerns about these detrimental impacts, the use of lead ammunition and tackle has been minimally regulated by state and federal agencies.
