A research paper co-authored by the Australian Deer Association has just been released titled "A comparison of lead-based and lead-free bullets for shooting sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in Australia".
This is the first study to assess the performance of lead-free bullets for shooting deer in Australiasia.
Although lead-based bullets have been widely used for centuries to shoot animals, it is a neurotoxin that affects the health of humans, animals, and the environment, hence their phasing out of everyday products such as fuel and paint.
The paper aimed to quantify the killing efficacy and animal welfare-based outcomes when using either lead-based or lead-free (copper-based) bullets when shooting (from the ground) sambar deer In Victoria.
Data was collected from daytime recreational hunting and professional nocturnal culling during 2020-2021. Deer harvested with a single thoracic (chest) shot were examined to determine differences between lead-based and lead-free (Copper-based) bullets.
A key measure was the flight distance, defined as the distance between where the animal was shot and where it died.
The mean flight distance of deer shot with lead-free bullets was 35m compared to 22m with lead-based bullets.
The research concluded that lead-based and lead-free bullets produce similar animal welfare outcomes when used on sambar deer.
Similar studies in Germany on roe deer and moose in Scandinavia also found no significant differences in animal welfare outcomes between lead-based and lead-free bullets.
The study noted that the cost of lead-free ammunition would be a likely barrier for many recreational hunters. Albeit that ammunition is a relatively small cost to deer hunting.
However, culling programs funded by taxpayer funds might be more willing to mandate its use considering the environmental cost of not doing so.
Previously, the Association flagged that further research into copper bullets was needed. On the back of the Californian ban to protect their Condor, we needed to contribute to this conversation as hunters.
Proudly, the Australian Deer Association provided members to participate in the field to help this study.
To read the study in full, please click here.
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