Lead Concentrations in White-Tailed Deer Tissue Due to Retained Bullets

• Main Authors: Meghan C. Zimmer, Tod L. Osier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Utah State University 2018-12-01
• Series: Human-Wildlife Interactions
• Subjects: ammunition; bullet fragmentation; hunting; lead exposure; lead mobilization; retained bullets; white-tailed deer
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol12/iss3/14

Mobilization of lead from retained bullets may lead to elevated lead levels in game tissue with consequences for consumers. We investigated lead mobilization in 2 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) carrying retained lead ammunition from previous gunshot wounds. Lead concentrations in muscle tissue of deer with retained lead bullets were in the same range as control deer. In contrast, 1 deer had higher bone lead levels than controls, suggesting mobilization occurred. Our results suggest that lead mobilization to meat from retained lead bullets does not appear to pose a consumption risk for those consuming meat that is physically distant from lead particles embedded within the carcass.