Limited supply of non-lead ammunition is making it difficult to comply with state laws.

There are a handful of animals in California synonymous with conservation efforts. Among them are condors, a beloved scavenger and one of the world’s rarest birds. Once brought to the brink of extinction partly due to lead poisoning from eating carcasses containing bullet fragments, condors are now protected through regulations requiring hunters and ranchers to use non-lead ammunition.

Mike Stake, a senior wildlife biologist with the Ventana Wildlife Society, says hunters are the solution. “Their ability to follow the law is complicated by the availability of the ammunition,” he explains. “They want to see non-lead available in the store, that will be a big part of solving this problem.”

In July, Kevin Kreyenhagen, chair of the Monterey County Fish and Game Advisory Commission, sent a letter to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and others seeking support to address the shortage of non-lead .22 LR (long rifle) ammunition. Last year, the only two manufacturers on the market discontinued their products, making compliance difficult.

The Ventana Wildlife Society has identified one reputable manufacturer of .22 LR cartridges, but at roughly a dollar per round, the price is too steep, says Kreyenhagen, especially for squirrel hunting, which often requires higher rounds of shooting.

Kreyenhagen has not yet heard back from any of the state agencies. On Aug. 12, County Supervisor Chris Lopez joined in, writing to the State Fish and Game Commission in support of state action. “There might be still a couple boxes [of .22 LR non-lead ammo] on the shelf,” Kreyenhagen says, “but that’s going to be coming to an end.”