Assess the attitudes and impacts to society associated with voluntary use of non-toxic ammunition for hunting programs on National Wildlife Refuges
Dates
Start Date
2016-01-01
End Date
2018-05-31
Summary
Conversion from lead to non-toxic ammunition and tackle is controversial and contentious despite scientific evidence of harmful environmental effects (e.g., TWS Technical Report). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Research Units Program will pilot and assess a voluntary approach to non-toxic conversion on targeted National Wildlife Refuges. We will design a study that will examine the human dimensions associated with transferring to non-toxic ammunition. Key stakeholders (managers, hunters, local conservationists, refuge associations) will be engaged in these surveys. Specifically, we will (1) identify specific refuge pilot locations and approach (modeled after the work being done in New York [...]
Summary
Conversion from lead to non-toxic ammunition and tackle is controversial and contentious despite scientific evidence of harmful environmental effects (e.g., TWS Technical Report). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Research Units Program will pilot and assess a voluntary approach to non-toxic conversion on targeted National Wildlife Refuges. We will design a study that will examine the human dimensions associated with transferring to non-toxic ammunition. Key stakeholders (managers, hunters, local conservationists, refuge associations) will be engaged in these surveys.
Specifically, we will (1) identify specific refuge pilot locations and approach (modeled after the work being done in New York state for a volunteer non-toxic ammunition effort); (2) identify the scope of stakeholder groups; (3) identify issues important to stakeholders related to implementation of non-toxic ammunition; (4) determine attitudes, values, and norms that direct stakeholder behavior; and (5) determine most effective means to change stakeholder behavior to use non-toxic ammunition.
Lead in all its forms is toxic to living organisms. Lead bullets and shotgun shell fragments in carcasses of large animals like deer poise a hazard to other wildlife, particularly raptors such as eagles. The phased out use of toxic materials on Refuges will reduce the occurrence of lead poisoning and benefit both recovery of some imperiled species and the maintenance of the health of other species, and promote a stronger conservation ethic.
Objectives:
We will (1) identify specific refuge pilot locations and approach (modeled after the work being done in New York state for a volunteer non-toxic ammunition effort); (2) identify the scope of stakeholder groups; (3) identify issues important to stakeholders related to implementation of non-toxic ammunition; (4) determine attitudes, values, and norms that direct stakeholder behavior; and (5) determine most effective means to encourage voluntary use non-toxic ammunition.
