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For Immediate Release
December 7, 2007

Fish and Game Commission Adopts New Regulations Requiring Nonlead Ammunition

The Fish and Game Commission voted 3-1 today to adopt new hunting
regulations for big game, nongame birds, and nongame mammals throughout
condor range in California requiring nonlead ammunition. The new
regulations are nearly the same as the recently passed bill, AB 821,
except for two significant differences which protect condors further.

First, the new regulations state that it is unlawful to possess lead
ammunition in condor range while taking (shooting) or attempting to take
game covered by the new regulations. This offers more protection than
what the new law, AB 821, gives because the latter only states that it is
unlawful to use lead ammunition while taking game. The enforcement of the
new regulations should be more realistic given that it rests with
possession and not just in the act of taking game.

Second, and this one was truly unexpected, the Commission did not exempt
.22 caliber, or smaller, projectiles from the new regulations. The new
Fish and Game Code 3004.5 that was enacted due to the passage of AB 821
exempts .22 caliber ammunition because nonlead varieties do not currently
exist on the market. The Commission felt that by requiring nonlead
ammunition for ALL ammunition, including .22 caliber, that the market will
adjust and that this was the most appropriate course of action to protect
condors.

What a pleasant surprise! We applaud the Fish and Game Commission's
decision and believe that they are correct. We also recognize that
without Pedra Nava's leadership (author of AB 821) that his efforts likely
helped to persuade the Commissioners to adopt these new regulations.

"It is indeed a precedent for any state to pass law or hunting regulation
in the nation prohibiting centerfire, rifle ammunition made of lead. What
is truly remarkable is that California also prohibits .22 caliber in
certain areas also." remarked Kelly Sorenson, Executive Director of
Ventana Wildlife Society.

Lead poisoning accounts for the greatest threat to free-flying condors.
Many condor experts testify that without these changes there is no hope
for condors to survive on their own. The new law and regulations together
not only should protect condors but other species of scavenging birds as
well. We are moved by these recent changes and look to a brighter future.