Global News feature on Trumpeter Swans dying in Abbottsford

[mastercaster]

Saw a feature on the news this morning about how many trumpeter swans have been dying from lead poisoning because the swans inhabit one of the Abby lakes out that way that has a very high lead content. The farmers are asking that shot gun shells be made with shot other than lead since the birds are mistaking it for grit. You'd think they'd know that it already has,,,,guess not.

I can't remember when the switch was made but I know it's been a good long time since the regulation came out where steel shot must be used to hunt waterfowl instead of lead shot so I gotta ask. Are there still hunters out there who are trying to use up the rest of their old lead shot shells or are these ponds still being affected with lead poisoning from when lead shot was still being used so long ago?

[Ride Red]

Lead shot was banned Canada wide in 1999. Would be interesting to know if this is a yearly die off or the first time in many years.

[adriaticum]

From what I read it's a private lake owned by his family.
But why waste a good opportunity to waste taxpayer money.
Ed Fast, supposedly a Conservative MP is sponsoring the petition.
They should perhaps also work on making seat belts mandatory too.

[Bustercluck]

I don’t buy 12 gauge, but I purchased some lead .410” less than 6 months ago. If it’s not banned in 410 I’m assuming you can still buy it in 12 gauge.

[goatdancer]

I don’t buy 12 gauge, but I purchased some lead .410” less than 6 months ago. If it’s not banned in 410 I’m assuming you can still buy it in 12 gauge.

You can still buy lead shot. It is banned for migratory bird hunting.

[adriaticum]

https://www.abbynews.com/news/abbots...and-elsewhere/

http://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Pe...etition=e-3459

https://savetheswans.ca/

[blindman]

Hope this reply is considered essential or it won't be allowed across the border eh. Seriously the lead problem that killed swans a few years ago was traced to Jordan Lake which spans the border just east of Sumas. I did a lot of duty scaring the swans off when they came in to spend the night. Eventually bamboo poles were stuck in the lake close enough together to discourage their landing. The bottom of Jordan is about 18' deep but plants and muck are up within 18"-20" of the surface. It is thought that the plant growth and muck has lifted old lead shot up to be within reach of the swans. The lead came from an old gun club that shot next to the lake.

[Redthies]

I don’t buy 12 gauge, but I purchased some lead .410” less than 6 months ago. If it’s not banned in 410 I’m assuming you can still buy it in 12 gauge.

Lead shot is only banned for MIGRATORY WATERFOWL hunting. Lead is still legal for upland, small game, large game etc.

[Dirty]

Did any of you read the article? It says the problem was greater this year because they did not erect seasonal exclusion fences on the Washington side due to budget cuts. The Washington side has a higher concentration of lead. This is a legacy issue caused by historic lead contamination. I don’t understand the negativity. The man spearheading the petition states he is a hunter. I think it is a good idea to try and restore the lake.

[adriaticum]

Did any of you read the article? It says the problem was greater this year because they did not erect seasonal exclusion fences on the Washington side due to budget cuts. The Washington side has a higher concentration of lead. This is a legacy issue caused by historic lead contamination. I don’t understand the negativity. The man spearheading the petition states he is a hunter. I think it is a good idea to try and restore the lake.

You don't understand the negativity?
Really?

It's a private lake.
If the man starting the petition is a hunter, he was dumping lead into the lake, he owns that lake.
Which part of private lake is the responsibility of Canadian public?
So it's on Washington side, so what does that have to do with Canada?

The petition is about banning lead shot and ammunition everywhere, not about restoring the lake.