Review of the legal and regulatory history of lead in hunting

Abstract

AbstractIn the United States, regulations to restrict the use of lead in ammunition have evolved at both the federal and state levels since lead shot was banned for hunting waterfowl nationwide by federal regulation in 1991. Prior to 1991, most of the effort and discussions were focused on reducing lead ingestion by wildlife from, and finding alternatives for, shotgun ammunition i.e., ammunition firing multiple small projectiles from one shell. Shotgun ammunition is often used for hunting small game mammals and birds. Since then, much, but not all, of the focus has shifted to reducing lead ingestion by wildlife from, and finding alternatives for, rifle ammunition i.e., ammunition firing a single projectile. Rifle ammunition is often, but not exclusively, used for hunting large game. Herein I will review the history of regulating lead in hunting ammunition in the U.S., and discuss some of the social, scientific, economic, and technological issues regarding switching from lead to nonlead alternatives.