An huge own goal by the Shooting Organizations - the lead farce

[Conor O'Gorman]

As far as I have been able to ascertain not only has nobody died but nobody has EVER been admitted to hospital with the symptoms of lead poisoning? other than by lead vapour from lead smelting. As far as the "well evidenced" cases of wild birds suffering from lead injestion, there is none! No person or organisation has, as far as I can find out, ever found a bird in this country, in the wild, whose autopsy shows lead as cause of death? what people/organisation's have done is to take birds, feed them lead shot in a lab, then subsequently say "ah well it's killed this one with 40 size 4 lead shot, 3 million of them enter the environment each year so 10000 birds must be killed! That is not science, it is supposition. As a final totally unscientific study I shoot in commercial duck shoot, yes I do shoot steel, and over the last season opened the wizards of 30 mallard, I found 1 shot, about size 1-2 steel!

There are hundreds of studies showing lead shot as the proven source of lead poisoning in birds going back a hundred years. It is well understood that ingestion of even one piece of lead shot can lead to lead poisoning in some birds.

You mention mallard and your own findings of shot ingestion. A detection rate of 1 in 30 birds having shot in the gizzard is within the range of findings from many studies. Below is an overview from 1960 with references going back 50 years. Fast forward 85 years and we have had 135 years of evidence, that continues to grow.

Lead poisoning in wildfowl | Olney | Wildfowl

Here is a paper from 1983:

The incidence and significance of ingested lead pellet poisoning in British Wildfowl

For a range of species, including pink-footed goose, white-fronted goose, barnacle goose, wigeon, teal, pintail, shoveler, scaup and moorhen, recorded incidences were either very low or zero. Relatively high incidences were noted for swans, greylag goose (7·1% of shot birds), gadwall (11·8%), mallard (4·2%), pochard (10·9%), tufted duck (11·7%) and goldeneye (6·7%).

Here is a 2023 update from Scotland where lead shot use has declined on Islay.

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that when ingested can cause death or sub-lethal fitnesseffects. Despite its toxicity, it is still widely used in recreational and management shootingglobally. To reduce the impacts of lead on wildfowl, recent European Union legislationhas banned the use of lead shot in and around wetlands from 2023. Understanding theeffectiveness of such mitigation is vital to inform future policy. On Islay, Scotland, thelicensed shooting of Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis to reduce agricultural damage hasadhered to the ban on use of lead shot over Ramsar-designated wetlands legislated inScotland in 2004. On average 2380 lead cartridges were fired annually between 2005 and2020 outside designated wetlands, where Barnacle Geese and other wildfowl forage. Fromfaecal samples, it is possible to infer whether birds have ingested lead and are thereforepotentially suffering from lead poisoning. After sampling faeces from Barnacle Geese (n =193) and Greenland White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris (n = 150) we foundonly four (1.2%) faecal samples with elevated lead levels that may be indicative of leadshot ingestion. Further post-mortem examinations (n = 102 Barnacle Geese only) and Xray of live birds (n = 293) revealed similarly low levels of shot ingestion in both species(post-mortem < 4%, and X-ray < 2%), corroborating findings from faecal sample analysis.When subsequently accounting for limited shot retention time within individuals, theproportion of each population ingesting a single lead shot over a winter was estimated ata maximum of 9.4% (Barnacle Geese) and 16.8% (White-fronted Geese). We proposethat high compliance with the ban on using lead shot over wetlands because of carefullycontrolled shooting management on Islay has led to relatively low instantaneous ingestionrates, probably resulting in minimal lead poisoning mortality. However, ingestion was noteliminated and the potential fitness effect of chronic lead poisoning in both goose populations therefore persists, although use of lead shot in organized shooting has subsequentlybeen discontinued. Recent European Union bans on lead shot use over wetlands mayreduce lead ingestion in waterfowl if compliance rates are high, but as foraging oftenoccurs outside wetlands (as in this study), further restrictions including use on other keyforaging sites may help to further mitigate the risk of lead poisoning in waterfowl.

https://pureadmin.uhi.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/38784090/120_Ibis_Geese_on_Islay_Pb_shot.pdf

That's just for starters. Have a look on Google Scholar for hundreds of studies.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Do you have any idea of the numbers of birds that die annually from ingesting lead shot compared to avian bird flu?

For lead shot, from GWCT wesbsite:

Scientists estimate that millions of birds suffer from sub-lethal effects of lead shot every year throughout Europe. Research estimates suggest that between 30-60,000 and 50-100,000 birds are likely to perish in the UK each winter as a direct result of lead shot poisoning. Long-term monitoring found that 8.1% of birds found dead between 2000-2010 had died from ingesting lead pellets. Some animals had ingested hundreds of pellets.

Effects of lead on wildlife and wildfowl - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

www.gwct.org.uk

For avian flu, from The Guardian website:

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) estimates that “many more than 20,000” wild birds have died in the UK since the current outbreak began in October 2021. However, the Guardian has studied data from devolved governments and nature organisations that shows the actual figure is at least 50,000 between October 2021 until the start of April 2023.

More than 50,000 wild birds in UK killed by avian flu – double previous estimates

H5N1 bird flu may lead to extinction of species as data revealed by Guardian shows worst losses in decades

www.theguardian.com

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

I though BASC had always said the cartridge manufacturers and importers supported a lead shot ban for live quarry shooting, was that not so?

The joint statement is here:

A joint statement on the future of shotgun ammunition for live quarry shooting

Together we wish to see an end to both lead and single-use plastics in ammunition used by those taking all live quarry with shotguns within five years.

basc.org.uk

We are jointly calling for our members to engage in this transition and work with us, the Gun Trade Association and the cartridge manufacturers to ensure that further viable alternatives are developed for every situation involving live quarry. This is an opportunity to take the initiative and ensure the reputation of the shooting community, as custodians of the countryside, is both maintained and enhanced.

 

[Bo Diddley]

For lead shot, from GWCT wesbsite:

Scientists estimate that millions of birds suffer from sub-lethal effects of lead shot every year throughout Europe. Research estimates suggest that between 30-60,000 and 50-100,000 birds are likely to perish in the UK each winter as a direct result of lead shot poisoning. Long-term monitoring found that 8.1% of birds found dead between 2000-2010 had died from ingesting lead pellets. Some animals had ingested hundreds of pellets.

Effects of lead on wildlife and wildfowl - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

www.gwct.org.uk

For avian flu, from The Guardian website:

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) estimates that “many more than 20,000” wild birds have died in the UK since the current outbreak began in October 2021. However, the Guardian has studied data from devolved governments and nature organisations that shows the actual figure is at least 50,000 between October 2021 until the start of April 2023.

More than 50,000 wild birds in UK killed by avian flu – double previous estimates

H5N1 bird flu may lead to extinction of species as data revealed by Guardian shows worst losses in decades

www.theguardian.com

That's very interesting. Thanks for finding the info. I knew you would have the answer, and honestly, I'm surprised at the numbers.
Edit; If 50,000 is the figure for wild birds dying over that period, it is relatively small, I would imagine, compared to poultry that have been culled. I know one producer that has had to cull many thousands of chickens & turkeys over the last few years.

 

[JTO]

Why the shooting organisation went down this route is unknown, a failure of leadership as it surprised their members - info on this would be appreciated, while its a bit like shutting the stable door, we can learn from the past.

You only have to look at what the would-be 'Lord Swift of Marford Mill' did after leaving BASC to answer your question.
Fifth column comes to mind!

 

[Bo Diddley]

No, in the US people stand up for what they believe in, in the U.K. they sit back in their sofa with a cup of tea and moan about it on forums like these, ending in involuntary acceptance

Please don't try and bring the USA into this topic, there is already a civil war on several threads between both sides of the Atlantic , always political

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

That's very interesting. Thanks for finding the info. I knew you would have the answer, and honestly, I'm surprised at the numbers.
Edit; If 50,000 is the figure for wild birds dying over that period, it is relatively small, I would imagine, compared to poultry that have been culled. I know one producer that has had to cull many thousands of chickens & turkeys over the last few years.

From The Telegraph:

In the last four months, 35 poultry farms in England have been ordered to cull their flocks to control H5N1 outbreaks, resulting in the deaths of 1.8 million chickens and turkeys.

All creatures great and culled: inside the global bird flu poultry slaughter

Culling has become the main method of controlling H5N1 and preventing spread to humans, but it costs farms – and taxpayers – dearly

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Ruger#1]

Of the bird mortality figures due to lead shot being quoted to justify further restrictions on inland game shooting what proportion of these figures originate in estimates of wildfowl mortality and what proportion are figures for game bird species.
If further legislation is being proposed to protect inland bird species from the effects of lead shot use then surely the only relevant figures to support such proposed legislation are the mortality figures due to lead shot in inland bird species ie those feeding outwith a wetland environment.
There seems to be an attempt to justify further lead shot restrictions based on estimated wildfowl mortality when what is required is figures to demonstrate the impact on inland bird species so that everyone can conclude whether any legislation proposals are proportionate and justified by the supporting scientific data.
To cite irrelevant wildfowl based data seems to be a deliberate attempt to confuse when there is much need for clarity.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

You only have to look at what the would-be 'Lord Swift of Marford Mill' did after leaving BASC to answer your question.
Fifth column comes to mind!

And still you are banging on about John yet he retired from BASC in 2013 and there was no lead ban during his 30 years at BASC and none now over a decade later and that is thanks to BASC and that goes back eons and if you don't wish to acknowledge that then that is your choice, just as continuing to use lead shot remains your choice.

You might find the following article by Colin Shedden about that era helpful in case you missed it the last two times! Colin explains:

"Within BASC I was not the only one defending lead – Dr John Harradine’s work over decades should be applauded by the shooting community. Without his contribution, on behalf of BASC, we would now have been paralleling Denmark and probably recognising 25 years of being lead free."
and

"Moving on, I came back to Scotland and have been BASC’s Scottish director for 25 years. Over this period I helped guide Scottish Government when they introduced their own legislation to restrict the use of lead shot on or over wetlands in 2004. I helped ensure that this did not affect moorland (thereby exempting grouse shooting) and also facilitated the ability to shoot ducks and geese with lead over stubble fields and when shooting away from wetland features."

Lead Shot: A Historical Reflection

In this blog, BASC Scotland director, Dr Colin Shedden, explores BASC’s long-standing involvement with lead shot and how the policy and science has evolved over the years.

basc.org.uk

Whilst yourself and some others consider BASC to be at the head of some worldwide lead ban conspiracy the irony is that those actually campaigning for a lead ban have been thwarted by our efforts since long before my time and the following post from WWT underlines that:

Features

Immerse yourself in these interactive stories and reports on key issues in wetland conservation. What to look out for, from dabbling to loafing, whiffling to quartering.

features.wwt.org.uk

 

[terrier1]

All this crap about bird eating lead shot.
Can Conor O'Gorman tell me how all these bird are going to distinguish between lead shot and any other type of shot. And don't give me that lead shot is toxic l know and have known that for the last 50years.
You are playing right into the hands of the anti shooting brigade.
I am so glad I am no longer a member of BASC who are pedaling this load of rubbish.
Why don't you consult your membership on what direction they would like to go with this lead free policy.
And please don't copy and paste a load of crap like you usually do.

 

[JTO]

And still you are banging on about John yet he retired from BASC in 2013 and there was no lead ban during his 30 years at BASC and none now over a decade later

Clutching at straws again!

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

All this crap about bird eating lead shot.
Can Conor O'Gorman tell me how all these bird are going to distinguish between lead shot and any other type of shot. And don't give me that lead shot is toxic l know and have known that for the last 50years.
You are playing right into the hands of the anti shooting brigade.
I am so glad I am no longer a member of BASC who are pedaling this load of rubbish.
Why don't you consult your membership on what direction they would like to go with this lead free policy.
And please don't copy and paste a load of crap like you usually do.

Birds will eat any type of shot, in the relevant size, mistaking it for grit or seeds. Where steel shot is being used, that is being found in gizzards as well as lead shot. Clinical tests on captive birds have found that steel shot does not have adverse impacts when ingested by birds. As you know, its a different story with lead shot.

For example, in Denmark there has been sampling done of pheasants and mallard post-lead shot ban and steel shot is now the main shot type found ingested by those birds in the samples taken.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/48693533

 

[Mike L]

Is Kes/Triton back …….again?

 

[Ruger#1]

Terry Behan spokesman for BASC was quoted as saying in the John O’Groats Journal & Caithness Courier published 10th March 2025
“ While we await the government’s response to the Health and Safety Executive’s proposals we remain committed to supporting the transition away from lead shot until legislation is in place “

It seems like BASC have accepted any further proposed legislation already.
I’m more concerned with what is happening now than historical references but despite the ability to continue to use lead at present I’m minded to consider that it may be in spite of rather than because of any input by BASC despite what any of their employees might maintain.

 

[Liveonce]

50-100,000 birds are likely to perish in the UK each winter as a direct result of lead shot poisoning

so if we only use lead shot in the summer all will be ok

How long after a ban is it going to take for all the lead shot currently in the environment to no longer be eaten by birds?

 

[Pellet Pinger]

50-100 thousand birds each year? thats a massive range of estimation!
I cant ever recall coming across a dead bird when out shooting.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

so if we only use lead shot in the summer all will be ok

How long after a ban is it going to take for all the lead shot currently in the environment to no longer be eaten by birds?

I think the focus of that will be migratory wildfowl. Given the fact that wild grey partridge chicks have been found by the GWCT to ingest lead shot it would be wise not to shoot the likes of magpie and carrion crow over brood rearing areas in the summer with lead shot to reduce the risk those chicks eating lead shot in their foraging areas and dying as a result, and undoing all the good work on habitats and predator control.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

50-100 thousand birds each year? thats a massive range of estimation!
I cant ever recall coming across a dead bird when out shooting.

Nature is efficient at hoovering up medium to small sized dead birds. With the likes of avian flu, lead poisoning and all sorts of diseases, and old age, its the bigger birds like swans, geese and birds of prey that tend to get discovered by humans and then tested. Think of robins. Many people think 'their' robin has lived in the garden for a decade or more as they never found a dead robin. The average age span of a robin is 13 months.

 

[Woodenbeam]

Nature is efficient at hoovering up medium to small sized dead birds. With the likes of avian flu, lead poisoning and all sorts of diseases, and old age, its the bigger birds like swans, geese and birds of prey that tend to get discovered by humans and then tested. Think of robins. Many people think 'their' robin has lived in the garden for a decade or more as they never found a dead robin. The average age span of a robin is 13 months.

Maybe that’s why we’ve so many kites & buzzards these days - they’re all hoovering up the dead robins & grey partridge that we’ve inadvertently killed via lead shot. Hang on a sec, shouldn’t they all be falling outta the sky with secondary poisoning……..

Talk about constructing a narrative to sell your story. We all know lead is toxic but when looking at with open eyes I do sense a load of ballacks! This is a narrative being pushed by the anti shooting brigade & a long time ago research still being quoted today should have been questioned and put into perspective.
Caffeine, sugar, processed foods, certainly tobacco, micro plastic’s, all sorts of other shite are far more toxic to life on this planet than a bitta lead shot.
As opposed to having the ghonas to standing up to this BASC dropped a major clanger and got on board with some political bandwagon dropping us right in it.
There should be choice for those that do & those that don’t, market place decides. If you want to sell lead free, go fill ya boots with a clean conscience. If you’re happy to crack on then so be it.
Lead free is not the key to keeping our right to shoot, it’s only another nail in its coffin.

 

[VSS]

I cant ever recall coming across a dead bird when out shooting.

You not a very good shot then....