Taking the Lead on Lead: Tejon Ranch’s Experience Switching to Non-Lead Ammunition

In February 2007, Tejon Ranch Company, which operates the largest State licensed private hunting operation in California, became the first to voluntarily discontinue and ban the use of all lead ammunition in its hunting and Ranchwide operations. Implemented in January 2008, this decision has been generally met with wide-spread support from resource agencies and other large-scale hunting operators such as Fort Hunter-Ligget who have since considered or have implemented their own lead ban policies. Hunters on the Ranch must all agree to comply with the ban; however, the ban presents a number of problems for hunters ranging from the availability of non-lead ammunition to the effectiveness of these products. Likewise, philosophical issues regarding gun rights and increased government oversight on hunting activities, not to mention the protection of endangered species, have also been necessary to address with hunters on the Ranch. Health-related concerns to wildlife and hunters regarding the effects of spent lead ammunition are generally not considered major concerns, but Tejon Ranch will continue to forward scientific information to hunters on the benefits of switching to non-lead ammunition.