Bald eagles have made a dramatic comeback, and it’s not by accident.
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird exclusive to North America. Historically this large raptor is found across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest also Canada and in the U.S.
In the 1950s and 60s, eagle numbers were declining in the lower 48 states. However, plans were being formulated to reverse the downward trend.
The bald eagle was given protection in 1940 under the Bald Eagle Protection Act which was later amended to include golden eagles. In 1967, bald eagles were listed under the endangered Species Preservation Act. In 1972, they were provided protection under the 1973 Endangered Species Act.
By 1970 New York State had only one active bald eagle nest within the state. In Pennsylvania, by the late 70s, less than a handful of bald eagle nests remained.
The protection status of bald eagles was complemented by banning of the chemical DDT in 1972. Next to come was an aggressive program designed to rebuild nesting populations nationally.
To accomplish the task the states were divided into five recovery zones. State conservation agencies became aggressively involved and their efforts have shown results.
According to the PA Game Commission the Commonwealth’s nesting bald eagle population has increased steadily and dramatically in recent years.
Since 1980, the state’s known nesting population numbered only three pairs. In 1990, there were eight active nests, 48 in 2000, and by 2006 the number cleared 100 for the first time.
The increases continued into 2008 when the state’s nesting eagles numbered more than 150 pairs, more than 200 pairs in 2011, and more than 270 pairs in 2013. The exponential increase in Pennsylvania’s nesting bald eagle population is part of a regional increase and mirror’s what has been taking place in the Chesapeake Bay and New York State populations.
The success of bald eagle recovering numbers in Pennsylvania and other states is directly related to improvements in environmental quality; eagles are dependent on good water and riparian forest quality and the availability of fish. Overall this seems to be good news, but there is trouble brewing.
As reported by the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center, 21-25 percent of sick and injured eagles treated were found to have toxic lead levels in their blood. Eagles examined appear to have ingested lead. The suspected source is from fragments of lead bullets. Other states are suspecting the same.
There is no doubt that uncontrolled sources of lead in the environment can be a problem. A parallel issue was brought to the forefront decades ago.
The ban on the use of lead shot for hunting waterfowl was phased in starting in the 1987 hunting season.
In 1991, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service restricted the use of lead shot by sportsmen when hunting within waterfowl production areas nationwide.
From that time forward hunters would be permitted to use only nontoxic shot, such as steel, bismuth, or tungsten-iron. Over time non-toxic shot shells were dramatically improved and accepted by hunters.
Surveys conclude that as a result of the lead ban fewer waterfowl and other wildlife were being lost due to ingesting lead. And that represents a positive outcome.
However, another issue regarding lead has been looming on the horizon for the past 40 years, and a more intense spotlight has been cast upon the problem.
The PA Game Commission noted in a news release in October of 2017 that since 2006 the PGC has been conducting necropsies on bald eagles that die to monitor causes of death and potential diseases. Data from 2006 to 2016 reveals that approximately one-third of the state’s known bald eagle mortalities are associated with a toxin, with lead being the most common. In fact, lead toxicity is a significant cause of death in all raptors, not just eagles.
That being noted, what is the source of the lead? Studies conducted in a number of states indicated fishing lures, spent bullets, non-recovered game, and gut piles are the most probable sources. A number of other states that have studied their eagle populations have come to similar conclusions.
Anglers have used lead for a number of applications. From jigs, sinkers, to split shot and the like, lead is commonly found in most tackle boxes. Anglers need to properly discard lead products. Every precaution taken by anglers to control their use of lead products reduces the risks of lead poisoning among birds of prey.
In the case of hunters, there are a number of proactive actions they can employ as well.
Recovery of game and the use of non-toxic shot when hunting upland species will help reduce the distribution of lead shot. Also covering entail piles making them difficult to see from the air will also help. The reasoning here is that bullet fragments can remain that scavenging eagles can possibly consume.
Big game hunters play an active role in reducing lead found in the field by using non-toxic bullets comprised of copper. Some hesitate to deviate from using jacketed lead core bullets, however the switch may be easier than most realize.
In 2009, a study was conducted by the USGS in the area of Jackson Hole Wyoming. The report edited by Christopher Johnson noted that a total of 194 hunters who would be hunting in the Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and the National Elk Refuge (NER) were provided with a box of non-lead ammunition.
Hunters were surveyed following the hunt. They found that the success rate for the combined areas was 24 percent.
The following year hunters were able to purchase non-lead ammunition at a reduced rate. That year a total number of those successfully using non-toxic bullets increased to 31 percent in the GTNP and 34 percent within the NER.
Many state wildlife agencies are beginning to share their concern regarding jacketed lead core bullets, and rightly so. But hunters need to be the final decision makers regarding the type of ammunition they prefer to use. Hunters are typically conservationists who support wildlife management individually and collectively.
For the most part jacketed lead core bullets are not going away anytime soon. This type of ammunition can be safely used and controlled in a wide variety of applications, which includes hunting.
Currently the PGC indicates there are more than 300 bald eagle nesting sites. And as the eagle population increases so does the chances of negative interaction between people and eagles.
In the future conflicts will arise. And yes, some eagles may die, but not all of those deaths will be due to an eagle ingesting lead.
Hunters can play an important role in keeping those unfortunate occurrences to a minimum. Reducing the exposure will reduce the risk. The choice is yours.
Charlie Burchfield is an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, an active member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Assoc. of America and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net