Ducks Go Unleaded

After eight years of steel shot restrictions for waterfowl hunters, the incidence of lead shot in gizzards from hunter-harvested ducks on the Coeur d’Alene River Wildlife Management Area continues to decline.

Rules restricting duck and goose hunters to using steel shot were phased in beginning in 1986.

In 1984, 29 percent of the waterfowl checked had lead shot in their gizzards. In 1993, only 9 percent had lead in their gizzards, while 14 percent had steel.