Banning Lead For Outdoor Sporting

Alternatives to Lead Tackle and Shot

Alternative Tackle Materials and Cost

There are alternative tackle materials (see Figure 1) available that can make lead sinkers obsolete.  Brass and zinc can now be used and are less toxic than lead (VFW, 2004).  It is not yet known how poisonous brass and zinc are but it is understood that large quantities may present a problem.  Tin, bismuth, and steel are regarded as being environmentally friendly and their use is recommended by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife (VFW, 2004).  

Figure 1.  Comparison of Lead and Alternatives (Kapsch 1999).

The banning of lead sinkers and jigs will not come without a cost.  The economic impact due to the banning of lead sinkers would be nominal to the average angler.  The average angler spends $1.50 - $3.50 annually on sinkers.  Non-toxic sinkers could increase that cost by up to $4.00 (USEPA 1994).  The prices discovered at two online fishing stores suggests that this increase could be quite lower (see Figure 2)    (Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops, 2004).  

The lead industry is very large and could be impacted with a ban on lead fishing weights.  The largest impacted business's will be the small 'mom and pop' tackle makers.  However, I believe there is a solution to this problem.  The answer may be to not completely ban lead sinkers, initially, but to allow business's to expand its line of materials and eventually phase lead out of production.  The option of mass-producing alternative, environmentally friendly weights will hopefully drive the cost down and help these suppliers stay in business. 

Figure 2.  Price Comparison's of Toxic and Non-Toxic Fishing Tackle                  (Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops, 2004).

Alternative Shot Materials and Cost

When the ban on lead shot for waterfowl hunting was put into place many hunters were opposed to switching to the alternative steel shot.  Many hunters believed that the steel would damage the barrels of their guns and that it would ultimately cripple more waterfowl  than with lead.  Although, a study conducted by M.R. Szymczak (1978) indicates that crippling rates were actually declining with the use of steel.  

With time, hunters and industry worked out the kinks and now lead-alternative shot is an accepted fact for hunting waterfowl, but is less accepted for upland hunting.  Today, steel is one of the most popular, and least expensive, alternative to lead shot (see Figure 3).  Bismuth and tungsten alloys bear the closest resemblance to lead and also provides the killing power of lead, especially at long distances (Cabela's 2004).   

Figure 3.  Price Comparison's of Toxic and Non-Toxic Game Ammunition          (Cabela's 2004).

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