access to safe, affordable and affective ammunition – our purpose
SAHGCA’s position on the use of lead shot when hunting birds in wetlands and other water bodies: SAHGCA does not support the use of lead shot where the pellets end up in water bodies (wetlands, pans, dams, rivers and streams) where they can be ingested by water birds that are filter feeders. SAHGCA recommends that hunters use alternative ammunition or avoid shooting in high-risk areas.
There is no question about the deep connection that responsible hunters have with nature. When you spent hours in the veld, intensely aware of nature’s sounds, smells and touch, it instils in you a pronounced respect for wildlife and an appreciation of how much we as people need these humbling moments in nature. It drives home the reality that we share the same planet, with finite resources and space, and that we have a huge responsibility to look after our wildlife heritage we rely on for so much more than just food.
SAHGCA takes note of the multitude of studies proving the minimal contribution of lead particle intake to an increase in lead blood levels in consumers of game meat, due in part to the chemical composition of lead in solid form and it’s bio-availability to the human body, as well as sound meat processing practice, when it comes to hunted game.
SAHGCA does not support the use of lead shot where the pellets end up in water bodies (wetlands, pans, dams, rivers and streams) where they can be ingested by water birds that are filter feeders. SAHGCA recommends that hunters use alternative ammunition or avoid shooting in high risk areas.
As gevolg van die toenemende bewustheid van die skade wat lood aan wildlewe veroorsaak, insluitend die toenemende klem op lood in multilaterale omgewingsinstrumente en deur die IUCN, het die Suid-Afrikaanse regering in 2019 die Lood-Taakgroep (LTG) gestig. Dit is ‘n subgroep van die Nasionale Wildvergiftigingsvoorkomingswerkgroep waarvan SA Jagters ook ‘n lid is.
Hoekom is daar ʼn besorgdheid oor die effek van lood vir mense?
Die eienskappe wat verantwoordelik is vir die baie gebruike van elementêre lood sluit onder andere die plooibaarheid, gepaardgaande met die hoë digtheid in. Lood is oor die jare gebruik in onder andere brandstof, verf, wielbalansering, batterye, sinkers en ammunisie om maar net ʼn paar gebruike te noem.
