California tomorrow will pass another important milestone in its phasing out of the use of lead ammunition. As of July 1, hunters in the Golden State using shotguns will be required to use nonlead shot for all upland game birds, resident small game mammals, furbearing mammals, nongame mammals, nongame birds and any wildlife for depredation purposes (some exceptions apply on private hunting clubs).

The change is the result of the 2013 passage of Assembly Bill 711, which was sponsored by Audubon California, Humane Society of the United States and Defenders of Wildlife. This followed decades of research showing that lead from ammunition in the environment presents an immediate danger to the California Condor*, Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, and a number of other birds. Additional research also shows that people who eat meat hunted with lead ammunition have higher levels of lead in their bloodstream.

This is the latest major phase in California’s shift to nonelead ammunition. Earlier legislation required the use of nonlead ammunition in the range of the California Condor, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife has already required nonlead ammunition for big game hunting in state wildlife areas.

The shift to nonlead ammunition will be complete on July 1, 2019 when hunters must use nonlead ammunition when taking any animal anywhere in the state for any purpose. There are no restrictions on the use of lead ammunition for target shooting.

* Not that we needed any reminder about the danger of lead from ammunition to California Condors, but the recent death of a male Condor in Utah due to lead poisoning has officials concerned about the survival of its chick.