Tell California: Ban Lead Ammunition

California lawmakers are considering a bill (AB 711) that will finally ban lead in hunting ammunition. If it goes through, it will provide important protections for wildlife and people.

If you live in California, we need you to speak out in favor of the bill.

Just over five years ago California passed landmark legislation and revised hunting regulations to require nonlead ammunition for all hunting done in central and Southern California. This move attempted to prevent endangered California condors from suffering lead poisoning. The regulations have helped revive condor populations -- but success is limited. American bald eagles and other wildlife continue to be afflicted by lead poisoning throughout much of the state, and lead ammunition is still a threat to humans who eat wild game.

Regulations have shown that hunters can easily transition to nontoxic bullets. Over the past five years, hunters in Southern and central California have continued to hunt traditional game using copper bullets -- there has been no decrease in game tags or hunting since the nonlead ammunition requirements went into effect.

California has the opportunity to switch to safer, nontoxic hunting ammunition and protect wildlife and people from lead poisoning by passing statewide legislation.

Please urge your legislators to support a statewide ban on lead ammunition and a move to nontoxic ammunition for all hunting in California.