In an opinion piece for the Bakersfield California, Audubon California Executive Director Graham Chisholm points out that hunters stand to be a critical element in saving the California Condor:

A recent report from the California Department of Fish and Game found that since the [lead] ban went into effect, there has been 99 percent compliance from hunters. Clearly, hunters understand what's at stake and are willing to act. Early blood testing of California Condors since the ban went into effect seems to suggest that hunters' swift adoption of these new rules is resulting in lower lead levels ...

It's not widely understood among the general public that hunters play a leading role in protecting California's wildlife and its habitat. Responsible, law abiding hunters are people who love the outdoors and have a real understanding of the beauty and importance of nature. And they want it preserved. Through their license fees, they support threatened populations of mammals and birds. Many also participate in organizations that contribute to protecting wildlife preserves and other habitats for wildlife. As far as birds are concerned, hunters have done remarkable things to support wetland habitat, migratory bird populations ...