Isn't the underlying question here about how lead shot fired at doves get into the food chain? On the face of it, it would seem that lead shot scattered widely on the ground probably isn't going to get much direct ingestion by birds. But what about wounded or dead doves that the hunter doesn't retrieve (and by most accounts that's a fairly large number of birds): what eats them--and the lead shot in their flesh? I'd assume it would be the same scavengers that eat deer carcasses (or deer gut piles). Do eagles and other raptors eat dead doves, or does another scavenger typically get there first? Then what? If there's to be future research, let it be focused on doves with lead shot in the food chain. Don't try to extrapolate conclusions from experience with other species.

I'm a former hunter, mainly of pheasants and grouse, and I have many good memories of great days out in the field. One of my main objections to hunting of doves is the guys who say that they shoot (at) doves mostly for target practice. Doves are quick and erratic on the wing, so they offer a small-gauge means of improving one's reaction time and aim for bigger birds, they say. That thinking denigrates doves to the status of clay pigeons--and such a rationale and practice offend me; I don't have a problem with any hunter who retrieves and consumes his kill.

On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 3:29 PM, Jane Clark <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Lanny--I would like to clarify that the current "lead shot in dove hunting issue" was not brought forward by Sierra Club.

One of Gov. Branstad's 2011 appointees introduced the non-toxic shot amendment to the dove hunting rule that was before the NRC last year. After discussion, the amendment for non-toxic shot passed unanimously. To suggest that this was promoted by "anti-hunters" is not what happened. The DNR's NRC is not and has not been anti-hunting, and neither is Sierra Club. The DNR's Natural Resource Commission is and has been for as long as I know, made up of pro-hunting, pro-fishing members. Over the past 20 years, the number of people on the NRC who would represent the "non-hunting" majority in this state is very small. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor for 6-year terms.

Sierra Club's current position is to oppose the legislative effort to overturn the DNR's NRC rule that required non-toxic shot for dove hunting.

The issue of lead shot for pheasant hunting is currently not an issue for NRC or the legislature.

Jane Clark

-----Original Message-----
From: Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 10:02 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: A lead-shot column that should embarrass the DES MOINES REGISTER

Again, I would like you all to consider the issue more broadly than just the effect of lead. This issue is pointlessly antagonizing hunters and diminishing the credibility of the Sierra Club. If the motive wasn't simply revenge over the dove hunt, why isn't the Sierra Club demanding the end of lead shot for pheasant? Lanny Schwartz

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