LEAD Act Bans Lead Ammo on Federal Wildlife Lands: Hunters Must Switch to Nonlead Alternatives Within One Year

The new Lead Endangers Animals Daily Act of 2025—or the LEAD Act—is straightforward: it bans the use of lead ammunition on all lands and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The bill’s core premise, laid out in its findings (SEC. 2), is that lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe exposure level for humans, and lead ammunition is poisoning wildlife, contaminating food supplies, and polluting the environment.

The Lead Problem, According to Congress

This legislation starts by making a clear case for why the ban is necessary. Congress notes that lead, which has been removed from paint and gasoline, still poses a major risk through ammunition. The findings specifically point out that wildlife, including endangered species, gets lead poisoning from scavenging carcasses or organ piles left by hunters using lead bullets. They also flag the risk to human health, citing concerns that lead from ammunition can contaminate crops, water, and game meat consumed by people. Basically, the bill argues that readily available nonlead alternatives perform just as well, making the switch overdue.

The Federal Land Ammunition Switch

For anyone who hunts or shoots on USFWS lands—think National Wildlife Refuges—this bill means a mandatory change to your gear (SEC. 3). The ban on lead ammunition takes effect after the Secretary of the Interior issues final regulations, which must happen within one year of the bill becoming law. During that time, the USFWS Director is required to create and annually update a certified list of approved nonlead ammunition, consulting with State and Tribal governments.

What counts as nonlead? The bill defines nonlead ammunition as having no lead content, excluding trace amounts—which they define as one percent or less of the total weight of the ammunition. If you’re hunting waterfowl, you’re already using nonlead ammo thanks to a 1991 rule, but this bill extends that requirement to all types of hunting and shooting on these specific federal lands.

Real-World Costs and Penalties

For the average hunter, this means checking the new certified list and potentially investing in new ammunition types. While the bill’s findings state that alternatives are readily available and perform well, they are often more expensive than traditional lead rounds, which could increase the cost of hunting on these lands. For example, a hunter who regularly uses a USFWS-managed area for deer hunting will need to switch from their usual lead core rounds to copper or other nonlead alloys.

If you knowingly violate this new rule, the penalties are civil fines. A first offense could cost you up to $500, and a second or subsequent violation jumps to a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. The bill does carve out exceptions for government officials, law enforcement, and active military members who are performing their official duties, meaning they can still use lead ammunition if required for their work.

This bill is a clear win for environmental and public health advocates, directly addressing a known source of heavy metal contamination. For hunters and recreational shooters, it’s a mandate that requires adjusting gear and budget, but it’s a change that keeps these federal lands open for use while reducing environmental risk.