IL HR0398

Urges the General Assembly to support efforts to restrict the use of lead shotshells for hunting wildlife in Illinois.

Cites evidence that lead ammunition is a neurotoxin with no safe exposure level that poses risks to humans, wildlife, and the environment.

Documents that more than 130 species have been exposed to or killed by ingesting lead shot or bullet fragments, and that a single pellet can cause brain damage in birds.

Notes that dove hunting alone disperses an estimated 5.2-7 million pounds of lead into the environment annually due to the high miss rate when targeting small, erratic-flying birds.

Points to 34 states that have already restricted lead ammunition beyond federal waterfowl regulations, and notes that the 1991 federal waterfowl non-lead shot requirement showed significant improvements in waterfowl blood and bone lead levels within six years.