2013 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Information - Arizona Game ...

Know the facts and make your own choiceLead and Wildlife• Lead is a naturally occurring element in theenvironment and has many beneficial uses.However, it is a known toxin and has beenremoved from many consumer productslike pipes, paint and gasoline.• Lead has been used in the manufacture ofammunition and fishing tackle for centuriesbecause of its unique properties, availability,performance, and ease and low cost tomanufacture.• Spent ammunition, lost fishing tackle andlead fragments in carcasses and gut pilescan be ingested by wildlife. In some cases,these lead sources can cause illness ordeath in individual animals.• Birds are the most susceptible to lead toxicity,and population-level effects have beendocumented in waterfowl and Californiacondors.• State fish and wildlife agencies have primaryresponsibility for managing fish and wildliferesources and use the best science to implementfocused management solutions whenpopulation effects are documented. Educatingthe public about wildlife issues is part oftheir mission.• Hunters and anglers have been the primarysupporters of wildlife conservation in NorthAmerica since the early 1900s. Collaborationwith industry, conservation organizationsand shooting-sports interests is also essentialto ensuring continued protection of ourwildlife resources and conservation heritage.• Non-lead ammunition and fishing tacklealternatives are becoming more widelyavailable and reasonably priced. Using nonleadalternatives can prevent lead poisoningof individual wildlife and may offer betterperformance.• Hunters who choose to use lead ammunitioncan still help to reduce lead poisoning in scavenginganimals by removing the entire gamecarcass from the field.AvailabilityNon-lead ammo alternatives are available forbig game, varmint and small game hunting.Non-fragmenting solid copper or copper alloybullets are now loaded in most hunting calibers.Highly frangible non-lead varmint bullets(compressed copper or tin powder) are availablein both centerfire and rimfire cartridges.Non-lead shot (steel, tungsten, and bismuth)is also available.To learn more about lead and wildlife, visitwww.azgfd.gov/lead.Lead fragmentsLead fragmentsWhat hunting magazines and Arizona hunters say about solidcopper bullets:“I was very impressed with the bullet’s performance, the buck literally dropped in itstracks.” — Kaibab deer hunter“Accurate, zero bloodshot, no wasted game meat.” — Kaibab deer hunter“I’ve never seen deadlier performance on game.” — Safari Club International article“While their terminal performance is the stuff of legend, they are also capable ofremarkable accuracy.” — American Rifleman articleX-ray of prairie dog (top), coyote (center)and a deer (bottom) gut pile. All containlead bullet fragments that could be ingestedby wildlife.Lead shotLead fragmentsLeAd Vs. non-LeAd Ammo Costs2013 priCes From onLine Ammo retAiLers.30-06 165 gr. loaded ammo, Box of 20(big game hunting).223 loaded ammo, Box of 20 (35-55 gr.)(varmint hunting).22 long rifle rimfire, Box of 50 (25-40 gr.)(small game hunting)12 gauge #6 shotshells, Box of 25(upland game/dove hunting)Basic lead: $17-$20, Premium lead: $25-$40,Non-lead: $30-$40Basic lead: $6-$10, Premium lead: $20-$27,Non-lead: $22-$27Basic lead: $2-$4, Premium lead: $5-$10,Non-lead: $6-$11Lead: $7-$25, Steel: $7-$32Eagles and other raptors feed on game remainsand ingest lead shot and bullet fragments.Doves and waterfowl are known topick up lead shot in the field.2014 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information 31