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California Initiates
Final Phase of Lead Ban
Effective July 1, 2019, hunters in California are now required to use non-lead ammo,
or ammo made up of at most 1 percent lead when taking any game with a firearm.
The law, which applies to hunters on public and private lands, and to hunters with
depredation permits, was signed on Oct. 11, 2013. It forced the California Fish and
Game Commission to adopt new lead regulations by July 1, 2015, and to implement
the statute’s requirements no later than July 1, 2019, or earlier if possible.
Per the law, “All ammunition in a hunter’s possession may be inspected by wildlife
officers. In some cases, if a wildlife officer suspects a hunter is in possession of lead
ammunition and cannot prove otherwise in the field, he or she may seize a cartridge
or bullet for further analysis. Hunters are encouraged to assist in confirming compli-
ance by retaining and carrying in the field ammunition boxes or other packaging.”
The law still allows lead-based ammo to be used for target- or self-defense purposes.
Those who violate the lead ban can be fined up to $500 for a first offense, no less
than $1,000 for a second offense and at most $5,000 for a third offense, with further
monetary penalties as the number of offenses increases. Violators of the law also risk
losing hunting privileges.
Hunters looking for lead-free options can find a list of certified non-lead ammuni-
tion at wildlife.ca.gov, though other non-lead ammo not listed, including handloads
or boutique ammunition, can also be used as long as it meets the new lead-free
requirements. All ammo manufacturers must go through an application process to
have ammo added to the list as “certified” for legal use. Photo: Forrest MacCormackTHE .50 CALIBER UMAREX HAMMER,
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