Ban on lead shot looms Shooters' group cries foul over proposed duck-hunting rules. The department's regulatory impact statement recommends that lead shot be banned from Victoria's game reserves this year, and that it be totally phased out by 2002. It is estimated that up to 200 tonnes of toxic lead shot may be deposited into the state's wetlands each duck-hunting season.
Birds often take two or three weeks to die after their lead meal.
The recommendations in the statement were developed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Victorian hunting advisory committee. The advisory committee chairman, Mr Tom Austin, said yesterday it was obvious that lead was having a detrimental effect on a variety of waterbirds in Victoria's wetlands. It's not just ducks affected by lead poisoning, it's a whole lot of other wildlife. Shooters will have to use weapons suitable for steel shot or the more expensive and non-toxic Bismuth ammunition. Mr Austin said the banning of lead shot was supported by nearly all hunting groups in Victoria and their three-year phasing out period would give hunters time to adjust.