A fall ritual in the US has become less toxic — but no less deadly

As millions of ducks, geese, and swans return from northern breeding grounds to their winter habitats in southern regions of North America, the long-standing tradition of waterfowl hunting begins. But one important feature of that hunting tradition has changed over the years.

Since 1991, waterfowl hunters have been required to use shotgun pellets made of non-toxic metals, instead of lead. In the past, foraging ducks, geese and swans often ingested lead shot that had fallen to the ground.

Waterfowl must swallow hard particles so their gizzards can grind up hard foods, like grains. Unfortunately, they can’t tell a lead pellet from a small pebble. Even two pellets of lead in a duck’s digestive system can cause a slow death from lead poisoning.

The switch to non-toxic shot has made a positive difference for waterfow. But lead shot is still widely used for the hunting game birds, like pheasants, which often share areas used by waterfowl.

Since 2007, many states have begun to ask — and in some cases, require — that hunters use non-toxic shot for small-game hunting as well. Missouri, for example, implemented a nontoxic-shot-only regulation for all hunting in 21 conservation areas. South Dakota now requires non-toxic pellets for all small game-hunting — and even target-shooting.

The movement toward non-toxic shot for hunting all types of birds is gaining support among hunters themselves, independent of state or federal regulation. Many hunters who are concerned about conseration have made the switch to protect the future of the birds, the habitat and the tradition they value.

This story is based on a report that aired on PRI's Living on Earth with Steve Curwood in collaboration with BirdNote.org.