The state of Indiana can’t tell Hoosiers not to use lead shot when they’re hunting, but it is asking them. Using lead bullets can threaten scavenger species such as bald eagles, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and could put human health at risk, too. 

The DNR’s new campaign comes after a Hoosier citizen raised concerns about the toxicity of lead shot.  

Lead is a heavy metal and can be very toxic, even in small quantities. Research in recent years has drawn connections between lead ammunition and adverse effects on wildlife. DNR is drawing on that research in its recommendations. 

The DNR is not banning the sale or use of lead shot — it doesn’t have that authority. But is trying to educate hunters and encourage them to steer clear of lead shot as deer firearm season and other hunting windows get underway.

“There are definitely some potential conflicts out there with lead and the environment and wildlife,” said Zach Schoenherr, a property manager at DNR’s Hovey Lake Fish & Wildlife Area in Southern Indiana. “So we are trying to educate on the alternatives that are out there.”

Still, both Schoenherr and the DNR recognize it won’t be that easy. The alternatives aren’t as readily available, they sometimes are more expensive and there are questions around effectiveness. Even more, one of the biggest barriers may be attitudes. 

That is front and center on a forum for gun owners in Indiana. Several comments said things like “that would really stink” if they made this an official rule or “if they ever ban it, I’ll make my own.”

DNR hopes it can answer hunters’ questions and help them see the benefits of making the switch. 

‘Lead still has a stronghold’

The petitioner submitted their request in February of this year, asking DNR to make lead shot unavailable for purchase. In response to the petition, DNR established a committee with a conservation officer, wildlife biologist and hunting license supervisor, among others, to review the topic. 

The committee’s conclusion: “The Indiana DNR believes it is important to acknowledge the effect of lead on the environment statewide,” it said in a report released this fall. 

Lead shot is one of the more common types of ammunition used today for rifles, shotguns, etc. And it’s regularly used for hunting deer, squirrels and other animals. Traditionally, that’s what has been used, according to Schoenner, as it was readily available and inexpensive. 

“There is still a good amount of lead being used out there,” he said, “but now the non-toxic stuff is starting to be used more.” 

Part of that is because hunters are required to use non-lead shot when hunting waterfowl anywhere across the country, under federal regulations. Under state rules, non-toxic shot is required when hunting mourning doves in all state fish and wildlife areas. 

But “lead still has a stronghold with deer firearm hunting,” said Schoenheer, who has a lot of hunters at his fish and wildlife area.

One of the main concerns is that lead shot is particularly toxic to the animals that “follow the hunter,” or those that eat the leftover carcass, such as vultures and even bald eagles. 

Wildlife, human health at risk

The effects of lead toxicity on wildlife have been studied for nearly a century, according to the report from the DNR. There are notes as early as 1922 regarding birds in Indiana falling ill to lead poisoning at Hovey Lake, where Schoenherr now works. 

Across the U.S. in the mid-century, approximately 3% of waterfowl deaths — equating to more than 3 million birds annually — were attributed to lead poisoning. The federal ban of lead ammunition for waterfowl has led to reductions, according to research. 

But direct hunting is not the only source of poisoning, the studies show. Lead fragments from big game carcasses have also been found to be a source of poisoning in many scavenging birds. In the Great Lakes region, nearly half of winter food for bald eagles are white-tailed deer carcasses. 

The poisoning can have lasting consequences including flight impairment and reduced reproductive success. And the levels of lead poisoning were found to be higher in the fall and winter, when hunting seasons are open, compared to the summer. 

The concerns around lead poisoning are tied to the fragmentation of the lead bullet. When it hits the target, the shot fragments into hundreds of pieces. One study that scanned deer killed with lead bullets found all the carcasses contained lead fragments and 90% of gut piles also had fragments. 

The potential effects of lead shot can also pose risks to human health. One study of Inuit populations that eat large amounts of wild game showed that they had high blood lead levels, and lead shot fragments were even found in some of their digestive systems. 

The type of marinade — particularly those that are acidic or vinegar-based — can actually react with the fragments in a way that makes lead more easily absorbed by the body. 

“If we can effectively communicate some of the advantages of switching,” Schoenherr said, “then hopefully we can get more people on board.”

Barriers: Cost, availability, effectiveness

Many hunters, however, are unaware of this research and the potential negative effects of lead shot. One such hunter, Jeffrey King, said he understands the prohibition with waterfowl and thinks “that makes sense because that’s over water.” 

But he has questions on how big of a problem lead shot could be compared to other ways it could get in the environment. 

“It seems like such a minor amount,” King said. “And I haven’t heard of any studies or anything linking how much damage is being done to the environment by the projectiles being used to hunt deer, coyotes, etc.”

What many hunters have heard, on the other hand, is concerns about the alternatives to lead ammunition. The main types of non-toxic shot that are being used today are steel and copper. 

One of the first roadblocks is that many of the alternative options are slightly more expensive. For example, 20 rounds of the budget lead option may cost $30, while the same number in copper may cost around $40. While the price difference has decreased over the years, in most cases, lead still is more cost-effective. 

“For some folks, the more expensive alternatives may not be an option,” Schoenherr said, “even if the lead is just a few dollars cheaper.” 

Another barrier is availability. Because most hunters or those shooting at gun ranges are still using lead shot, more of the stores are going to carry lead shot. If there is not a strong demand for alternatives, then local hunting stores might not carry them. 

Schoenherr said some of the shops around him carry more steel ammunition during mourning dove hunting on the property he manages, because non-toxic shot is required. 

“Hopefully as more folks get on board then that will drive the market,” he said. “Especially in areas where there is more hunting so the local retailers can start to carry more of that.”  

One of the biggest hurdles, however, is concerns around effectiveness. When lead alternatives were first introduced, they were touted as not being as effective as lead shot. Schoenherr said he believes that effectiveness “has come a long way,” but King said he still has hesitations. 

“For the most part, I think we would be open to alternatives as long as it was available, at a good post point and doing the same thing that lead is for projectiles,” King said. “Is it going to expand and do its job, or is it not going to pass through the animal and immediately take it down.”

He said it’s important to him and other hunters that animals are killed quickly and humanely, and they want to make sure the non-toxic options can do that. 

Help hunters try something new

While the petitioner asked the DNR to ban the sale of lead ammunition, the agency does not have the authority to do so. Only the Natural Resources Commission, an independent board that addresses issues pertaining to DNR, can make that decision. It is unclear at this time if the NRC plans to take a look at this topic

That said, DNR is taking steps to raise awareness about lead shot and encourage hunters to choose alternatives. 

The agency has developed a new website with information about the effects of lead. The site also includes educational materials that DNR plans to share with the public that discusses the environmental benefits of using non-lead equipment when hunting. 

“These materials will allow individuals to see how their actions can impact the environment, whether through picking up lead litter or using non-lead tackle,” the DNR report said. 

Schoenherr said that sometimes “folks can be kind of traditional in the way they’ve always done things,” but hopes that this information will help hunters be open to trying something new. 

King said he thinks hunters will listen, but the agency needs to make sure all elements are there with availability as well as looking at how alternatives such as steel might wear harder on the barrel of hunting rifles. 

“The switchover wouldn’t be a problem as long as they did the research and had everything in place to have a better chance of making it work,” the hunter said. “It’s not going to be a straight line to get there.”

Call IndyStar reporter Sarah Bowman at 317-444-6129 or email at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @IndyStarSarah. Connect with IndyStar’s environmental reporters: Join The Scrub on Facebook.

IndyStar’s environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.