Dear HCN,
There is no need for
condors to be dying of lead poisoning (HCN, 2/18/02: Condor program
laden with lead). There are already several alternatives to lead
bullets on the market. For more than a decade, solid copper bullets
have proven effective on all game. Though currently expensive for
shooters who do a lot of target shooting, the cost to hunt with
copper bullets is negligible when compared with what hunters pay
for rifles, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and other
gear.
Once they understood the harm done to
waterfowl, hunters readily abandoned lead shot. Conservation
organizations such as Ducks Unlimited have done a great job in
publicizing the harm done by lead shot. Groups such as the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation could effectively do the same for the move
away from lead bullets.
Few hunters and
conservationists, myself included, want to be responsible for
poisoning condors, golden eagles and other scavengers. Hunters such
as Teddy Roosevelt, William Hornaday and Aldo Leopold were leaders
in the conservation movement. The National Rifle Association is
plumb crazy on this issue, and should either lead or get out of the
way.
Pat
Munday
Butte,
Montana
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline NRA: Get the lead out, and lead.
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