Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Welfare

Migratory waterfowl hunting welfare depends on shot selection, ammunition, and hunting practice, with lead ammunition and crippling causing significant welfare concerns.

Key Facts

Lead shot was banned for waterfowl hunting in the US in 1991 due to poisoning of waterfowl and eagles
Crippling rates — birds hit but not recovered — range from 15-30% in some studies
Steel and bismuth shot have equivalent or superior welfare performance to lead alternatives
Proper shot selection and range discipline significantly reduce crippling rates
Waterfowl lead poisoning from ingested pellets caused significant population welfare impacts before the ban

Welfare Considerations

Waterfowl hunting welfare involves two distinct concerns: the welfare of struck birds and the welfare of birds that ingest spent lead ammunition. Crippled birds that are not recovered die slowly from their wounds — a significant welfare cost of inaccurate shooting. Lead ingestion from spent pellets in wetland sediments caused mass mortality and neurological suffering before regulations eliminated this exposure pathway. The best waterfowl hunters invest in appropriate non-toxic ammunition, practice ethical shot selection, and use trained retrievers to minimize crippling and maximize retrieval of struck birds.

What You Can Do

If waterfowl hunting, use non-toxic ammunition only and practice range and shot discipline
Train or use a retriever to maximize recovery of all struck birds
Report suspected illegal use of lead shot in waterfowl hunting to wildlife authorities
Support extended non-toxic shot requirements for upland and other hunting where lead remains common
Advocate for lead ammunition phase-out across all hunting to protect scavenging wildlife