I’m not the one who makes the rules. In our state you have to use lead free shot when hunting waterfowl. That’s why they have bismuth shot.
Don’t blame me, I am just explaining why state legislators make those laws.
Wasn’t blaming you, just making the point that their claim that ducks and geese eating the lead shot is a load of crap.
In still water with a mud bottom lead sinks at a rate of about 1 1/2 to 2 inches a day, in running water with a sandy bottom lead will sink at over a foot a day.
In both cases the lead will keep sinking until it hits an impermiable layer or bedrock.
Same reason a dredger tries to remove the overburden to get at the heavy metals sitting on bedrock.