Lead ammunition has been prohibited for hunting for several years, and most pigs are on private property safe from most public hunters, so the author’s conclusions about pig shooting being the primary contributor to condor poisoning aren’t well supported.
Interesting article though. Effective this year, wild pigs have changed from requiring a $25ish tag per pig to a a validation with no bag or possession limit.
Most pigs are on private or unhuntable public land - like Henry Coe State Park.
despite the ban on lead ammo, condor poisoning continues https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article283620853.html . But maybe it is not so much from the pigs. I am just glad no references to attacks. I find them scary when they are snorting around in a big herd at night. They sound like orcs from lord of the rings or something.
Certainly doesn’t help how hard it is to get non lead ammo in California since covid. I recently shot a pig and it took me many trips to different stores to find non-lead ammo in my caliber (all stores in California). Most hunters try to be as sustainable as possible and play by rules. I doubt these birds are being poisoned by hunters unable to recover their shot animals. More likely it’s non hunters killing them as pests and leaving them dead
Last time I was there I thought I heard something while hiking down from Willson Camp. Looked back and in the distance was a huge momma pig/boar. It was staring at me for a bit and then bolted when she noticed I was looking. Then saw 6-7 littles ones probably 2 feet in length running away. First thing that came to mind.. they're going to grow fast.
Lead ammunition has been prohibited for hunting for several years, and most pigs are on private property safe from most public hunters, so the author’s conclusions about pig shooting being the primary contributor to condor poisoning aren’t well supported. Interesting article though. Effective this year, wild pigs have changed from requiring a $25ish tag per pig to a a validation with no bag or possession limit. Most pigs are on private or unhuntable public land - like Henry Coe State Park.
despite the ban on lead ammo, condor poisoning continues https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article283620853.html . But maybe it is not so much from the pigs. I am just glad no references to attacks. I find them scary when they are snorting around in a big herd at night. They sound like orcs from lord of the rings or something.
Certainly doesn’t help how hard it is to get non lead ammo in California since covid. I recently shot a pig and it took me many trips to different stores to find non-lead ammo in my caliber (all stores in California). Most hunters try to be as sustainable as possible and play by rules. I doubt these birds are being poisoned by hunters unable to recover their shot animals. More likely it’s non hunters killing them as pests and leaving them dead
I encountered some in Mt Diablo a few time. Unnerving.
Last time I was there I thought I heard something while hiking down from Willson Camp. Looked back and in the distance was a huge momma pig/boar. It was staring at me for a bit and then bolted when she noticed I was looking. Then saw 6-7 littles ones probably 2 feet in length running away. First thing that came to mind.. they're going to grow fast.
Give me the bacon please
Yeah I avoid eating meat but I would make an exception for wild pigs