California condors moving to other states, lead ammo, sheep and stuff

[West_Fork]

I thought this might be of interest to some folks or make for some interesting conversations. Most of you have seen the pics of Condor #1111, and if you do a bit of googling you will find this to be a pretty popular bird.
Condor #1111 is one of two fledglings born in the wild in Zion National Park. My property is just a few miles north of the park and offers a great deal more habitat, food, and water. I see condors on a pretty regular basis and I work to protect them through promoting all copper ammo. Condor #1111's sibling was Condor #1000 (1k), who died of lead poisoning this past year. They spend the fall cleaning up gut piles from hunting. Condor #1111 now has more lead in it than any other condor known to be alive, so its on the edge. One more bad meal this fall might spell the end. I am working with a couple different groups to get some signage put up to educate folks, but dealing with local hunters is pretty much a waste of time (low IQ, morals, etc).
We believe the primary reason these birds are choosing to hang out is because of the sheep grazing that offers more frequent dining than say a park. It is truly a success story that appears to couple agriculture with the recovery of one of (if not thee) rarest birds in the world.

To get an idea of the size, here is #1111 being released after being captured and tagged. That's a big bird. https://www.facebook.com/USFWS/videos/condor-1111-release/5930690467043268/

 

[Thomasc19]

Super cool-good on ya for promoting copper over lead

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

Cool bird, but I wouldn't say hunters who choose to use lead bullets are necessarily immoral or have a low IQ.

 

[West_Fork]

Cool bird, but I wouldn't say hunters who choose to use lead bullets are necessarily immoral or have a low IQ.

Do not underestimate them, they are notorious. Anyone getting a zion unit hunting tag is given a coupon for free all copper bullets or ammo. We are talking about $150 in free premium ammo per year. The only excuses are bad ones.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/offi...condors-illegally-killed-near-cedar-city.html
They make us all look bad.
Some are trying to make us look good: https://nonleadpartnership.org/

 

[Telemark]

I just recently started using lead-free bullets in my .308 because I finally found some that shoot well in my rifle. I definitely want to eat as little lead as possible.

On long ranges, I would probably still use lead.

 

[bigboreblr]

NY state public land is no lead as of 2 or 3 years ago. Only downside is 22lr. I have yet to see any non lead ammo. 308 shoots ok think it's federal.

I usually bury my gut piles

Another tough one is trditional roundball. Need something soft that deforms. I have used bismuth. Works ok. Groups are noticeably better with lead though. 54 cal usually go through deer.

 

[West_Fork]

NY state public land is no lead as of 2 or 3 years ago. Only downside is 22lr. I have yet to see any non lead ammo. 308 shoots ok think it's federal.

I usually bury my gut piles

Another tough one is trditional roundball. Need something soft that deforms. I have used bismuth. Works ok. Groups are noticeably better with lead though. 54 cal usually go through deer.

I have always assumed there is not much fragmentation from round ball and would assume it wouldn't be much of an issue. I don't see it very often, but every once in a while someone admits that FMJs are just about as good as non-lead. My very first deer was taken with a SKS and FMJs. The bullet stopped just short of exiting the opposite rib cage and the deer made it about 25 yards.

I think the non-lead mandates in areas that don't have a direct wildlife concern to be insane, and is the reason why it has become so difficult to get buy-in in places it really does matter. A chunk of lead sitting in dirt or even water remotely close to neutral PH is not an issue for anything.

 

[KY wild]

Years ago I was on vacation at the Grand Canyon and a Condor landed on a rock ledge and it had a number on it I think the number was under one hundred, but it has been a long time so maybe I am wrong about the number. Anyway numerous people in the area ran up to take the pic some with 3 foot focus lens so I knew it was a big deal at the time. I did not recognize the bird or its rarity but soon was informed a great deal of the bird from the people who I think was there to see it. Anyways, I spend a lot of time and money trying to help wildlife especially those that need help, so thanks for helping this bird, I am glad you are in position to do so.