How come lead shot is still being used in duck hunting?

Question

How come lead shot is still being used in duck hunting?

Answer 1

According to the hunters down here in Georgia, steel shot doesn't work worth a c**p.

I don't hunt, but plenty of the people I know do. We were talking about this a few weeks ago.

Answer 2

Lead shot is also often used as ballast in various situations, especially where a dense pourable weight is required. Generally small shot is best for these applications, as it can be poured more like a liquid. Completely round shot is not required. Examples are:-

Providing variable weights in strength-of-materials stress-testing systems. Shot pours from a hopper into a basket, which is connected to the test item. When the test item fractures, the chute closes and the mass of the lead shot in the basket is used to calculate the fracture stress of the item.

Hydrometers also often use a weight made of shot, since the weight has to be poured into a narrow glass vessel.

Split shot is a larger type of lead shot where each pellet is cut part-way through the diameter, and has been commonly used as a line weight in angling. Split shot is placed over the line and closed in a crimp using pliers in this application.

The heads of some dead blow hammers are filled with shot to minimize rebound off the struck surface.

Some scuba diving weight belts are nylon webbing pouches filled with shot: see shot belt.

It can be used to fill speaker stands for additional acoustic decoupling, as well as stability.  

Answer 3

They still use it in NY USA

Answer 4

Lead shot is no longer used for duck hunting, or goose hunting. Lead shot cannot be used within 500m of a water body. It is illegal to use lead shot in Canada. You need to use the other alternatives that are out there that have been approved such as steel.

If it is still being used it is being used illegally. It is a toxic pellet that often falls in the water and the ducks and geese swallow them when they swallow stones for digestion this causes them to take the toxin in causing them to get sick or die.

Hope that helps