Conservation advocates, including representatives of Audubon California, today were surprised when the State Fish and Game Commission suddenly halted any discussion of restricting the use of lead shot on state wildlife areas. The commission had been expected to discuss a variety of options related to lead shot at a future meeting, but with one member absent and another abstaining, two members were able to cut off any staff consideration of the research supporting such a restriction, or consider the reasons why 25 other states have enacted similar regulations.

“What the commission said today was that it doesn’t want its staff analyzing the dangers of lead shot to birds and wildlife,” said Dan Taylor, Audubon California’s director of public policy. “This is a total capitulation to those who would have us believe that lead is not a threat to wildlife.”

This marks the second time this year that lead advocates have managed to sway the votes of policymakers entrusted with the protection of the state’s wildlife. A bill backed by Audubon California to prohibit the use of lead shot in state wildlife areas (Assembly Bill 2223) passed the State Assembly, but failed to get the required votes to reach the Senate floor after a forceful campaign by lead backers nationwide.

Audubon California had specifically requested that the commission consider a ban on lead shot in state wildlife areas in an effort to remove a loophole in the law that creates a dangerous environment for birds and other wildlife. Due to widespread consensus that the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting poses a significant danger in wetland environments, federal law bans such use. However, the use of lead shot for upland game is currently allowed on all but one of the 105 wildlife areas owned by the state, and often results in lead being introduced into wetland environments anyway. Research now shows that both wetland and upland birds will ingest spent lead shot, and that this creates the potential for devastating effects on these bird populations.

“Allowing this situation to continue is inconsistent with the state’s mission to manage these wildlife areas to the highest standards, and I would have expected the Fish and Game Commission to understand that,” added Taylor. “Make no mistake, we’ll be back to pursue these protections for birds and wildlife.”

More than 25 states currently have laws on the books similar to Assembly Bill 2223. Lead shot is also banned in all federal wildlife refuges in California.

In pushing for these restrictions, Audubon California has always noted the crucial role hunters play in wildlife management and conservation, particularly in funding through licenses and excise taxes on sporting equipment sales. This policy change should appeal to hunters, given that inaction stands to erode both wetland and upland bird populations – and diminish hunting opportunities.