California Becomes First State to Ban Lead Bullets for Hunting

Hunters looking for targets on private and public lands in California must now use non-leaded bullets when aiming for wildlife.

With a comprehensive ban taking effect July 1, California becomes the first state to fully phase out the use of lead bullets for hunting. The Legislature passed a bill in 2013 to ban the ammunition, in part to protect wildlife.

The ban was phased in, initially occurring in state-run wildlife areas and ecological reserves. A second phase in 2016 banned lead for shooting upland game birds and small game mammals with a shotgun.

The leading cause of death for ...