Free Bullets in Condor Country

Ventana Wildlife Society is again giving away non-lead ammunition to big-game hunters in Monterey County, just as it did last year.

Non-lead ammo is required anywhere within condor range, which includes most of Monterey County, under a 2008 state law intended to protect an endangered species decimated by the ingestion of lead bullets.

"One-third of all condors that have died perished due to ingestion of lead,” VWS Executive Director Kelly Sorenson states. “Over and over we find lead bullets in the digestive system of condors, so we know the source to be primarily from ammunition.”

VWS stresses the point that hunting is not the problem. In fact, hunting with nonlead ammo can benefit scavengers like condors by leaving carcasses as a food source.

Another bill now on hold in the state Senate, AB 711, would expand the lead ammo ban beyond condor range to all of California. The bill is co-sponsored by Audubon California, the Humane Society and Defenders of Wildlife.

VWS isn’t directly involved in that bill. “We’re trying to reach the locals who will have a direct and positive impact on condors if they use lead-free bullets,” Sorenson says.

Enter the raffle before July 15 at http://ventanaws.org. After verifying that entrants are at least 18 years of age and live in Monterey County, VWS will pay for one box per household, up to 200 boxes, at outdoor store Cabela’s.

The raffle is supported by the Monterey County Fish and Game Advisory Commission and private donors.