1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I strongly urge you to reject S. 537, Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which would prevent federal agencies from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal land or water. Lead poisoning is a common cause of admission at wildlife hospitals across the U.S. and the overwhelming majority of these cases are due to ammunition and fishing tackle. Many of these animals die of neurological signs and associated injuries, kidney failure, respiratory failure, and other results of the toxicity. This toxicity is a major issue for scavenging birds especially and it is the top cause of death for the critically endangered California condor and others. Given the dangers of this heavy metal toxicosis, many avian and wildlife veterinarians have already voiced their opposition to this legislation. This is also a public health threat as hunters and their families are at risk when they ingest meat hunted with lead ammunition. There are lead alternatives that can be used in both cases.