Simon Toop

Lead-based bullets used to shoot (hunt, cull or harvest) deer typically fragment. These toxic fragments cause lethal and non-lethal harm to wildlife scavengers when ingested, as well as being a risk to human health. The carcasses of Hog Deer culled with lead-based bullets contained >250 fragments each. Australian wildlife managers should consider a timely transition to lead-free bullets for deer control, harvest and hunting.