Reducing Lead on the Landscape: Anticipating Hunter Behavior in Absence of a Free Nonlead Ammunition Program

摘要: Lead is a neurotoxin that has been documented to affect many forms of wildlife, and identified as limiting factor in population California Condors Northern Arizona. The Arizona Game Fish Department provides vouchers for free nonlead ammunition hunters selected hunt within the distribution Condors, with intention having fewer lead-laden offal piles available Condors. Although wildlife agencies may reasonably assume voucher programs motivate into choosing ammunition, lead reduction efforts attributable program not empirically quantified. Our was compare control group treatment Condor occupied areas. Both groups received educational materials regarding deleterious effects lead, but also initial box ammunition. About half used compared about three-fourths group. Prominent barriers adoption included general difficulty obtaining it, it desired caliber, its costliness. Frequently mentioned motivations using exhortation use by Department, desire aid recovery hunters. disparate compliance rates found herein confirm quantify success programs, underscore importance working increase supply end facilitating procurement reducing cost.