Minimizing lead in dead gophers

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boomer49

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Hi guys,

I'm lucky enough to live in a place where there are lots of eagles.

And I shoot a fair number of gophers on this and nearby ranches. There is a concern that eagles feeding on gopher remains can ingest enough lead to harm the birds.

Some may agree and some may disagree with that idea, but that's not the issue I'm asking about.

I like to do whatever I can that's reasonable, and was wondering if there's a "greater likelihood" of a 1260 fps hollow-point leaving pieces of lead in a dead gopher than a comparable 1260 fps solid-point. Or do they usually both remain intact and just blast right through? I've never looked that closely.

I suspect that it would be a non-issue with my Model 700 .223 Varmint ... but that's so damned heavy!:)

Boomer
 
I think some gopher autopsies are in order. I know that solids just blow right through a gopher, hollow points about half the time will seem to remain in the body. I'd say either use solids exclusively, or dispose of the body where an eagle won't get it (or maybe another scavenger) if you are worried about lead.
 
It's all about range. Bothe could remain in the body if you shoot them out far. At the ranges I usually pick the off at with .22lr they always exit. I use other guns for distances where .22 likely won't do they job in an efficient manner.
 
I've never shot a gopher with a 22 that didn't have holes through both sides.

Really, I think the odds of the eagles beating the other gophers to the carcasses are pretty slim. Have you seen it happen, or are you busy making plans on supposition alone?

I actually witnessed a hawk stoop in and grab a gopher that I had just shot, but it dropped it about as quickly. Dunno why. Maybe a recognition that the meat had not died from claws, maybe something else entirely. But it was far enough away that I'm reasonably of the opinion it was not due to our presence, as it had been flying over us for some time.

IIRC the whole 'green' bullets thing started over "If it saves just one Condor!" . Meh. Buzzards and eaters of carrion. They gotta beat a fair list of more likely subjects to the carcass to even be at risk, though. Coyotes, foxes, the other gophers (Esp. the other gophers!), crows and ravens, magpies, etc.

There are probably better things to worry about, like how you may be instrumental in toppling an ecosystem by shooting a keystone species, for instance...:D

Get a lighter .223 and you won't have to worry about lead staying in the gopher, maybe.

Cheers
Trev
 
I met another guy with the same concerns and he carries a metal detector. The ones still outside the holes get a once over with the metal detector and if it beeps he shoves it down the hole. No beep good for birds!!
 
I really don't think that lead in the form of particles in the the carcass is very digestable or likely to do much besides just past through the system of a raptor.

I could well be wrong though.

Also, I admire your forthought. Never really considered that consequence till now.
 
Merci ...

Hey guys,

Thank you for all the feedback.

Yes, I've often seen a gopher starting to gnaw on his just-shot friend/relative ... it makes shooting the gnawer especially satisfying.

Yes, it seems reasonable that a solid bullet would more-likely pass completely through the gopher at the 50 - 60 yard range that I typically shoot. I'm gonna switch. Too bad for me that I bought $150 worth of a certain hollow-point that my Anschutz really likes :(

I'll also look around for some of those new no-lead cartridges ... here's hoping they're reasonably-priced (a small premium is OK) and work well in the Annie!

I'm a member of the Crowsnest Conservation Society, and the logo/letterhead is designed-around the silhouette of an eagle.
 
So is there no concern for the gophers that cannabalize those dead brothers. The Hawks, Eagles and Coyotes are not causing them all to disappear. Much like the concern for the condors in California.
 
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