09/03/2026
Let’s learn about lead! Did you know lead poisoning is a threat to wildlife?
Where does the lead come from?
Two major sources are lead ammunition and fishing tackle.
1️⃣ When lead ammunition strikes an animal, it can fragment into hundreds of tiny pieces. Scavengers like California Condors, Bald Eagles, and Golden Eagles can ingest these fragments when feeding on carcasses or gut piles.
2️⃣ In waterways, loons, ducks, and other waterbirds can accidentally swallow lead sinkers and jigs while foraging. Even a single small lead sinker can be fatal to a loon.
Once absorbed, lead can damage the nervous system, interfere with blood function, cause weakness, seizures, and ultimately death. For long-lived species that reproduce slowly, these losses can have consequences for entire populations.
California is currently the only U.S. state with a comprehensive, statewide ban on the use of lead ammunition for all hunting (went into full effect in 2019), but there is currently no statewide ban on lead fishing tackle.
The good news? Lead exposure is preventable!
✅ Hunters can choose non-lead ammunition. Check for non-lead ammunition incentive programs near you. (On the Central Coast? Check out VentanaAWS.org)
✅ Anglers can choose non-lead fishing tackle.
✅ All of us can help spread the word and support efforts to reduce lead exposure for wildlife.
