While You're Deciding Whether To Go Lead-Less...

[Tim Smith]

http://www.tufts.edu/vet/loons/

I hadn't noticed this research until now. Up to this point I had taken the rhetoric that there was "no proof" of any negative effects of lead fishing tackle at face value. Apparently that was a mistake.

This looks pretty conclusive that lead tackle is a serious problem for loons.

[fishinwrench]

Pffft !

[Mitch f]

I'm ready to pour tin or bismuth whenever I can find some

[Ham]

I love loons. I enjoy watching them and hearing them call. Cool bird.

I hope they take the appropriate steps the reverse the problems in that part of NE where the study was done. Have the studies been duplicated in other areas of the country? Is lead in fishing lures used in AR and MO an issue for loons or other waterfowl here in Arkansas?

If the lead we use in our lures here in Arkansas is not causing ham to birds here, why should I give it up?

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I am not sure what the bird hunting is like in the NE or what the restrictions are around there. I know that in MO when I took Hunters Ed, it was mentioned that while hunting in certain areas you can not use leadshot, due to similar problems with eagles. In short small animals eat off of the bottom of lakes and streams, ingesting lead, they are pursued by eagles and while the eagle eats the animal infected with lead, the eagle then dies due to lead poisoning. I guess my point is: yes lead sinkers contribute, but I really wonder if we all stop now, will it make a noticeable difference. All of the existing stuff would need to be removed. Just a thought.

[Stoneroller]

I'm investingating using mercury or maybe cadmium weights instead. I hear they are both really good for wildlife and humans alike. What's wrong with lead? I mean it's not like people who live around lead smelters have astronomical rates of extrememly rare cancers. Stupid science ruins everything. Life was easier when the earth was flat and I could transmute lead to gold.

[Tim Smith]

I love loons. I enjoy watching them and hearing them call. Cool bird.

I hope they take the appropriate steps the reverse the problems in that part of NE where the study was done. Have the studies been duplicated in other areas of the country? Is lead in fishing lures used in AR and MO an issue for loons or other waterfowl here in Arkansas?

If the lead we use in our lures here in Arkansas is not causing ham to birds here, why should I give it up?

Loons pass through Arkansas/Missouri and feed in the reservoirs. So any time they're in the lakes taking hooked fish they're being exposed. You're probably right that the effect is less likely/common since they aren't resident in the Ozarks they way they are in Washington.

Cormorants and grebes are other fish-eating bird species this might affect as well.

I've been buying lead-less split shot and skinkers for a while. Since loons are pretty common here in Colorado pretty often I'll extend that to other baits as well...although of late that has been mostly flies.

[Tim Smith]

I am not sure what the bird hunting is like in the NE or what the restrictions are around there. I know that in MO when I took Hunters Ed, it was mentioned that while hunting in certain areas you can not use leadshot, due to similar problems with eagles. In short small animals eat off of the bottom of lakes and streams, ingesting lead, they are pursued by eagles and while the eagle eats the animal infected with lead, the eagle then dies due to lead poisoning. I guess my point is: yes lead sinkers contribute, but I really wonder if we all stop now, will it make a noticeable difference. All of the existing stuff would need to be removed. Just a thought.

In the case of loons the answer is definitely "yes" it will make a difference (although can see Ham's point that there might be reason to believe the improvement will be less from lead reduction in the Ozarks than for instance in Minnesota where they are resident). In soft bottomed systems, things on the bottom are gradually covered over time. Smaller, heavier items will gradually sort themselves toward the bottom. Over a period of years and decades the amount of lead exposed on the substrate will decrease.

A sizeable percentage of mortalities in loons in those areas comes from lead (check the data in the link).

[KCRIVERRAT]

Looney topic...

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Good point Tim. I appreciate an explanation vs, a putdown. I did look at the link before that post, Was just kinda thinking out loud per say. I am also curious if they are using steel shot instead of lead shot. It was not mentioned. You can get a picture and post it for dramatic reasons and change how people think about something that may not be the real problem. My point being the birds pictured may only be 2 of millions, and they are poster birds, but the real problem may not be lead sinkers, but lead shot. Which is harder to identify.

As noted in prior post, I am aware that we here in MO do have problems with lead affecting our birds and I do understand that we need to adapt new ways in order to help slow down the negative reactions. I have no problem using a different source to fish with. I have been trying to think of different things that could be used for years, as I have heard of lead being a problematic item for our fish/wildlife. I just don't seem to have the resources or outlets. I have found many different outlets since joining this website, and may look into them. I think this is a good topic, and appreciate the feedback.