Lead used in hunting, fishing raises health concerns

Journal Sentinel ^ | 2-10-09 | Lee Bergquist

[SJackson]

Lead shot from firearms and lead sinkers have been a mainstay of hunting and fishing for generations, but a growing body of research and anecdotal accounts are raising health questions for humans and wildlife alike.

The most recent situation involves trumpeter swans in northern Wisconsin.

Since October, 10 trumpeter swans have been treated by the Raptor Education Group Inc. in Antigo. In a typical year, the center takes in only about two of the birds.

Three of the trumpeter swans have died and three are in critical condition. X-rays revealed all had metal shot or sinkers in their bodies. Blood tests showed elevated levels of lead.

Also, a report released in November shows lead residue from gunshots has been found in Wisconsin venison, after concerns were raised in other Upper Midwestern states.

In Wisconsin, 15% of 199 samples of commercially processed venison contained lead bullet fragments, according to the report by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health Services.

In hunter-processed venison, 8% of 98 samples contained lead fragments.

The study used modeling from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and suggests there may be a risk of elevated lead levels in blood among children who consume venison.

One of the worst-case scenarios involves children 7 and younger who eat two meals a month of venison that contains higher amounts of lead. The children may have a 90% chance of lead levels in their blood rising above tolerable limits set by the Food and Drug Administration.

[Patriotic1]

You got that right...

[George Smiley]

Depleted Uranium.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this Upper Midwest/outdoors/rural list please FR mail me. And ping me is you see articles of interest.

In Wisconsin, 15% of 199 samples of commercially processed venison contained lead bullet fragments, according to the report by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health Services….In hunter-processed venison, 8% of 98 samples contained lead fragments.

The harvest was down this year, but without looking in the 275,00 range. A “sample” of 199, well I can’t post the percentage without using scientific notation, so I won’t bother.

And 98 samples of “hunter-processed” deer, what’s that? How do you sample “hunter-processed” deer.

Anyway, I hope the stimulus has at least $500 million allocated to proper sampling, and volunteer to do the “hunter-processed” sampling myself at the mandated $400,000 per year. If BHO want to knock on hunter’s doors, he can do it, I’ll live in the White House.

[Aroostook25]

This has nothing to do with shotguns. This is an attempt to get around the second amendment. You can own a gun, but bullets will be illegal.

Exactly!

[GonzoGOP]

'Depleted Uranium.'

Sure, Turn your 30.06 into an antitank weapon. Whats not to like.

[dusttoyou]

Same here, why would someone use the bloodshot meat near the shot? Am pretty confident that dressing your own wouldn’t show any lead in the usable parts, its the big game hunters that take their deer to the processors that are more likely to get bullet fragments and NO backstrap.

[Charles Martel]

Sounds like total hogwash to me. They seem to be suggesting that lead dissolves into the tissue of the deer. I simply don’t believe this.

Yep, that part of it is pure nonsense - but the sheeple will buy every word of it. Migratory waterfowl swallowing sinkers? Yes, that's possible. Magic lead-absorbing venison is not.

[Beefeater]

MMMMMM...Trumpeter Swan, tastes like Bald Eagle.

[tubebender]

How are they so sure the lead is from sporting sources...

[RedMonqey]

lead ammo must be banned because of “lead toxicity” is merely a gun grabber’s stalking horse

Aren't we told animals are just like humans?

We all have heard of people who have been shot in certain areas where the surgery would be more dangerous than just leaving the bullet in place. The body, doctors said, would encapsulate the bullet, keeping the lead from migrating to other areas .

Or have doctors been telling their patients lies.

I say this is pure bullsh%t.

[RedMonqey]

lead ammo must be banned because of “lead toxicity” is merely a gun grabber’s stalking horse

Aren't we told animals are just like humans?

We all have heard of people who have been shot in certain areas where the surgery would be more dangerous than just leaving the bullet in place. The body, doctors said, would encapsulate the bullet, keeping the lead from migrating to other areas .

Or have doctors been telling their patients lies.

I say this is pure bullsh%t.

[RedMonqey]

In hunter-processed venison, 8% of 98 samples contained lead fragments...

Call me crazy but I would suspect 100% of hunter processed venison would have contained lead fragments at one time or another.

Excluding bow hunters of course...

[absolootezer0]

They seem to be suggesting that lead dissolves into the tissue of the deer. I simply don’t believe this.

i could see it in a miniscule amount, in the ones where jerkoff "hunters" can't seem to make a clean kill, and the deer ends up healing with the bullet still in them.