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Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Lead Ammunition Survey Summary
Concern and scrutiny over the use of lead ammunition in regards to human health and wildlife
has increased in recent years. California’s 2013 legislative action to phase out all lead
ammunition has brought heightened attention to lead ammunition use in Oregon and other states.
This concern and attention prompted the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to partner with
Oregon State University’s Survey Research Center and Wildlife Extension to design and conduct
a public opinion survey on lead ammunition use and related issues. The results of the 2014
survey are currently being analyzed by Oregon State University for publication in a scientific
journal. The knowledge gained from this survey will inform decision makers of perceptions
about the use of lead ammunition and the perceived impacts on humans and wildlife by both the
hunting community and the general public.
Separate surveys were designed and conducted for hunters and the general public. The hunter
survey included 33 questions in order to get more specific details on current firearm and
ammunition usage for big game and unprotected mammal & furbearer hunts. Therefore the
general public survey consisted of fewer questions. Both groups responded to a subset of
questions that allowed comparison of opinions, knowledge, and preferences between the two
groups.
The following provides a basic summary of the findings; and in some cases hunter and public
responses to questions were displayed side by side in order to best present the data. All tables
and charts were generated from survey responses and created by Oregon State University’s
Survey Research Center.
Due to differences in response rate to individual questions, percentage may not total exactly 100
percent.
For more information about the survey and to see the survey questions you can go to:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/lead/index.asp
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Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife P a g e | 2
Response Information
Hunter - All Mail and Web/Mail Response Rate by Mode
Public – Conducted solely by mail.
Hunter - Response Rates for each Region by Survey Mode, with a consistent Response Rate across Regions
35%
16%
15%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
All Mail Web/Mail
Web
Paper
24.2% 26.8% 26.6% 24.3%
7.4%6.3% 8.1%
8.1%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
Web
Paper
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Hunting Experience (Hunter & Public)
Public Q2: Have you ever hunted using a firearm?
Percent of Respondents (Public)
Random sample of public showed a relatively high percentage of people who had hunted at some time in the past.
Hunter Q3: Did you hunt in Oregon anytime from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013?
Percent of Respondents (Hunters)
42%
56%
2%
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Hunter Q4: For 2013, did you use a bow, firearms, or both bow and firearms to hunt?
Percent of Respondents Using Bow, Firearms, or Both to Hunt in Oregon in 2013
Firearms users (shotgun and/or rifle) comprise the bulk of hunters surveyed.
Hunter Q5: About how many total days did you spend hunting with a firearm in Oregon
during 2013?
Number of Days in 2013 Respondents Hunted
Firearms hunters include upland birds, waterfowl, big game, furbearers and unprotected mammals. Number of days
hunted may reflect hunting multiple species and seasons.
12%
22%
14%13%
17%
22%
0%
1-3 days 4-6 days 7-9 days 10-13 days 14-20 days 21 or moredays
Noresponse
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Hunter Q6-9: Did you hunt migratory game birds, waterfowl, upland game birds, turkey, or
big game in Oregon in 2013?
Some hunters are already hunting with non-lead ammunition. Until now, we have not had any solid information on
use of non-lead ammunition in Oregon. Migratory game birds includes dove and band-tailed pigeon.
Hunter Q10: When hunting big game using ammunition that contains lead do you mostly use
ammunition off-the-shelf/mail order, reloaded, or an equal combination of both?
21%17% 15%
82%
Q6. Migratory gamebirds and waterfowl
Q7. Upland gamebirds or wild turkey
with non-lead
Q8. Big game withnon-lead
Q9. Big game withlead
60%24%
16%
1%
Mostly off-the-shelf/mailorder
Mostly reloaded
Equal combination of off-the-shelf/mail order andreloaded
No response
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Hunter Q11: Type of firearm used for hunting big game in Oregon in 2013?
Hunter Q12: What are the reasons, if any, that would influence you to switch to non-lead
ammunition for hunting big game in Oregon?
Among hunters, use of non-lead ammunition is affected by questions about performance, the science behind the
issue, availability and cost.
92%
18%
32%
9%5%
Centerfire rifle Handgun Shotgun Muzzleloader Other
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Hunter Q15: When hunting unprotected mammals or furbearers using ammunition that
contains lead do you mostly use ammunition off-the-shelf/mail order, reloaded, or an equal
combination of both?
Hunter Q16: Type of firearm used for hunting unprotected mammals or furbearers in Oregon
in 2013?
80%76%
43% 45%
7%3%
Centerfirerifle
Rimfire rifle Handgun Shotgun Muzzleloader Other
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Hunter Q17: What are the reasons, if any, that would influence you to switch to non-lead
ammunition for hunting unprotected mammals or furbearers in Oregon?
These responses provide insights to the factors respondents would consider in making a switch to non-lead
ammunition when hunting unprotected mammals and furbearers.
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
i. Under no circumstances would Iswitch to non-lead ammunition.
c. If I knew non-lead ammunitionperformance (e.g., accuracy, killing…
b. If I knew there were negative health effects of lead on Oregon’s wildlife …
d. If there were greater local availabilityof non-lead ammunition.
a. If I knew there were negative healtheffects of lead on people.
h. If I received a coupon that wouldoffset the additional cost of purchasing…
e. If there were greater availability ofnon-lead ammunition online.
j. Other
g. If the cost was no more than 25%higher than lead-based ammunition.
f. If the cost was 25% - 50% higher thanlead-based ammunition.
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Hunter Q19: Which of the following have been sources of information for you regarding the
effects of ammunition that contains lead?
Hunter Q20: Of those that have been a source of information for you (as stated in Q19),
which 3 do you feel are the most reliable sources.
Sports magazines, NRA, and hunters are the preferred sources of information on this issue.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
h. Sportsmen's magazine
i. Mass media
d. Other hunters
f. NRA or other
k. Hunting organization
b. ODFW printed materials
a. ODFW website
j. Federal agency
l. Conservation/Environmental…
c. ODFW employee(s)
g. Health provider/doctor
e. OSU Extension service
m. Other
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
h. Sportsmen's magazine
f. NRA or other
k. Hunting organization
d. Other hunters
b. ODFW printed materials
a. ODFW website
i. Mass media
j. Federal agency
m. Other
l. Conservation/Environmental…
g. Health provider/doctor
c. ODFW employee(s)
e. OSU Extension service
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COMPARISON – Source vs Credibility
(Hunters)
Identifies various sources hunters use to gather information and provides insights into the credibility of each of these
sources.
Hunter Q22: Information about ammunition choices and lead effects can be delivered to
hunters in many ways. Which 2 of these do you most prefer?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
h. Sportsmen's magazine
i. Mass media
d. Other hunters
f. NRA or other
k. Hunting organization
b. ODFW printed materials
a. ODFW website
j. Federal agency
l. Conservation/Environmental…
c. ODFW employee(s)
g. Health provider/doctor
e. OSU Extension service
m. Other
Source
Credibility
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Printed materials (newsletters, magazines,…
ODFW hunting regulations
Online
Personal contact
TV or radio
Email
Other
Social media
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INFORMATION SOURCES – GENERAL PUBLIC
Public Q4: Which of the following have been sources of information for you regarding the
effects of ammunition that contains lead?
The public looks for information from different sources than hunters.
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Public Q5: Of those that have been a source of information for you, which 3 do you feel are
the most reliable sources.
For the public, mass media, known hunters and conservation groups are most reliable sources of information.
COMPARISON – Source vs Credibility
Public Comparison:
Mass media is the preferred method of providing credible information to the general public. Outreach through
hunters (considering the preferred, credible method source of information for hunters) is also an appropriate strategy
for reaching the public.
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COMPARISON – Source vs Credibility (Hunters & Public)
There is a difference in opinion between hunters and the public regarding the reliability of various sources of
information. While mass media was considered an effective and reliable source of information by the public
respondents, it was not considered reliable by the hunter respondents. While the NRA was considered more reliable
by hunters, it was considered less reliable by the public.
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Agree/Disagree with various statements:
Public Q6: How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding
management of wildlife?
The public highly values wildlife and believes wildlife should be managed to ensure continued survival. A large
percentage of the public believe all Oregonians should be responsible for funding wildlife management in Oregon.
90
73
42
49
9
37
6
20
30
24
13
28
24
8 9
16 18
1 16 7
15
60 0
106
41
50 1 2 3 2
51 0 1 2 3 1
a. Whether or notI get outdoors tosee wildlife, it's
important toknow they exist in
Oregon.
b. It is importantfor humans to
managepopulations ofwildlife animals
so futuregenerations can
enjoy them.
c. The loss ofsome individualwild animals is
acceptable if thepopulation ofanimals is notjeopardized.
d. Hunting is avalid tool in
management ofwildlife
populations.
e. Hunting is crueland inhumane.
f. All Oregoniansshould be
responsible forfunding wildlifemanagement in
Oregon.
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
No response
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COMPARISION – HUNTER Q23 / PUBLIC Q7 How much do you agree or disagree with
the following statements concerning hunting in Oregon?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know Noresponse
a. Oregon's hunters are valuable stewards of our wildlife resources.
Public
Hunters
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know Noresponse
b. Oregon hunters contribute to the stewardship of wildlife resources by using non-lead ammunition.
Public
Hunters
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Hunters and the public agree that hunters are good stewards of wildlife resources.
Both groups agree that lead is toxic although more of the general public are in strong agreement on this point.
A similar percentage of both hunters and the public think that hunters lack information on the effects of lead
ammunition.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know Noresponse
c. Lead is a naturally occurring element that is toxic when consumed by living animals.
Public
Hunters
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know Noresponse
d. Hunters lack information about the effects of lead-based ammunition on wildlife.
Public
Hunters
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COMPARISION – HUNTER Q24 / PUBLIC Q8 How much do you agree or disagree with
the following statements concerning the use of ammunition that contains lead for hunting and
its effects on humans?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
a. Lead effects on humans can include developmental disabilities, neurological disorders, cancer and death.
Public
Hunters
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
b. Some lead effects on humans can occur by inhalation (breathing).
Public
Hunters
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Both groups agree that lead affects human health and exposure can come from various methods. Concern about
exposure to lead via game meat is much stronger with the public than hunters.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
c. Some lead effects on humans can occur by ingestion (swallowing).
Public
Hunters
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
d. Lead ingestion could be a health risk to humans who consume game harvested with lead-based ammunition.
Public
Hunters
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COMPARISION – HUNTER Q25 / PUBLIC Q9 How much do you agree or disagree with
the following statements concerning the use of ammunition that contains lead for hunting and
its effects on animals?
05
101520253035404550
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
a. Lead ingestion is a source of mortality for birds that scavenge dead animals.
Public
Hunter
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Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife P a g e | 20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
c. Ingestion of lead can be fatal to animals.
Public
Hunter
05
10152025303540
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
d. Lead projectiles break into tiny pieces as they travel through a game animal's body, resulting in lead microfragments being lodged in the
carcass.
Public
Hunter
05
1015202530354045
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
e. Lead microfragments pose a risk to animals that eat remains left in the field.
Public
Hunter
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Both groups agree that lead can be toxic to scavengers but a larger percentage of the public strongly agree that it is
toxic.
Hunter Q27: How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: If I learned
that lead was having negative effects on wildlife populations in Oregon, I would consider
using non-lead ammunition for hunting.
Hunters indicated they would consider using non-lead ammunition if they learned that lead was having a negative
effect on wildlife populations.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Stronglyagree
Somewhatagree
Neitheragree nordisagree
Somewhatdisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know No response
f. Wildlife managers should be concerned about effects of lead microfragments on wildlife populations.
Public
Hunter
27
2516
8
13
73
I strongly agree with this strategy
I somewhat agree with this strategy
I neither agree nor disagree with thisstrategy
I somewhat disagree with this strategy
I strongly disagree with this strategy
Question missing
No response
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COMPARISION – HUNTER Q28 / PUBLIC Q12 If a program to reduce human and wildlife
exposure to lead in Oregon was started, to what degree would you support or oppose each of
the following options?
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Stronglysupport
Somewhatsupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Somewhatoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know Noresponse
a. Regulations to prohibit lead-based ammunition only in regions with demonstrated wildlife lead ingestion concerns.
Public
Hunter
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Stronglysupport
Somewhatsupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Somewhatoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know Noresponse
b. Statewide regulation to prohibit use of lead-based ammunition.
Public
Hunter
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When considering regulations to prohibit lead-based ammunition only in regions with demonstrated wildlife lead
ingestion concerns, hunters and the public were in general agreement with each other, but overall there was a very
mixed reaction for that management option.
When considering the option of having a statewide regulation to prohibit use of lead-based ammunition, there was a
clear divide between hunters who strongly opposed that option and members of the general public who strongly
supported it.
When asked about an option in which region-specific regulations would allow use of lead-based ammunition but
require gut pile removal from the hunting field, there was general agreement between general public and hunter
respondents, although strong opposition was greater among hunters.
A similar pattern of opposition by both groups was observed when posed with the statewide option to allow use of
lead-based ammunition in conjunction with removal of gut piles from the hunting field.
05
101520253035404550
Stronglysupport
Somewhatsupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Somewhatoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know Noresponse
c. Region-specific regulations to allow use of lead-based ammunition but require removal of gut pile from hunting field.
Public
Hunter
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Stronglysupport
Somewhatsupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Somewhatoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know Noresponse
d. Statewide regulations to allow use of lead-based ammunition but require removal of gut pile from hunting field.
Public
Hunter
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Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife P a g e | 24
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Stronglysupport
Somewhatsupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Somewhatoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know Noresponse
e. Voluntary coupon incentive program only in regions with demonstrated wildlife lead ingestion concerns.
Public
Hunter
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Stronglysupport
Somewhatsupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Somewhatoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know Noresponse
f. Voluntary coupon incentive program statewide.
Public
Hunter
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Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife P a g e | 25
When considering a prospective voluntary coupon incentive program (to offset cost of non-lead-based ammunition)
only in regions with demonstrated concerns for wildlife lead ingestion, hunters and general public respondents were
in relatively close agreement, however reactions were mixed.
The statewide voluntary coupon option drew greater "strongly support" reactions from public respondents, but the
overall pattern of mixed reaction was very similar by both groups to the regional coupon option.
Public respondents were asked their level of support of a coupon program that would affect hunts for "certain types
of game," without further detail. The responses were mixed, similar to other patterns of public response for this type
of program. Hunters were asked to respond to a more detailed subset of questions, including big game only, upland
birds, turkey and squirrel, and unprotected mammals and furbearers. Hunters responded with varied levels of
support for coupon programs in each of those three options, but strongest opposition to such programs for big game
and unprotected mammals & furbearers.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Stronglysupport
Somewhatsupport
Neithersupport
noroppose
Somewhatoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don'tknow
Noresponse
g, h, i. Voluntary coupon incentive for hunting ....
Public - certaintypes of game
Hunter - big game
Hunter - uplandbirds, turkey, andw gray sqirrel
Hunter - unpro-tected mammalsand furbearers
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Phase out: Comparison hunter versus public:
Q: If Oregon were forced, such as by legislation or regulations, to phase out use of
ammunition that contains lead, by which year do you believe it would be realistic for the state
and its hunters to adopt the change? (Hunter Q30. Public Q11)
Under a forced phase out of lead ammunition use, the general public supports an earlier or more immediate phase
out. Hunters prefer longer term phase out.
Hunter Q: 31: If a program to reduce use of or eliminate ammunition that contains lead were
created in Oregon, how would your participation in hunting change, if at all?
This question gained a mixed response from hunters on how a non-lead program would impact participation, but the
majority of respondents would not change their participation in hunting.
9%
12%
17%
4%
42%
15%
36%
25%
15%
1%
15%
8%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 No response
Hunters General Population
14% 13%
8%
45%
1% 0%
16%
2%
Quit huntingaltogetherin Oregon
Greatlyreducehunting
activities
Slightlyreducehunting
activities
Not changehunting
activities
Slightlyincreasehunting
activities
Greatlyincreasehunting
activities
Don't know No response
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Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife P a g e | 27
Hunter Q21: In which ways has your knowledge about the effects of lead affected your
consumption or use of game meat harvested with ammunition that contains lead? (Select True
For Me or Not True For Me for each statement.)
Most hunters have not stopped consuming game meat because of what they have learned about lead. Others are
minimizing their exposure by trimming meat or using non-lead ammunition. .
86%
64%
4%11%11%
30%
88%80%
3%7% 7% 9%
a. It has notaffected my
consumption ofgame meat.
b. I serve and eatgame meat but try
to minimizeexposure to lead
fragments bytrimming the meat
first.
c. I no longer serveor eat game meat.
d. I hunt using non-lead ammunition
only, so there is noeffect on my
consumption oruse.
True for me
Not true for me
No response
