Arizona hunters urged to use non-lead ammo to guard condors

A rare and endangered California condor flies over Marble Gorge, east of Grand Canyon National Park west of Page, Arizona. (File photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Arizona wildlife officials are urging hunters to use non-lead ammunition to protect California condors.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department issued a reminder Friday that some hunters who drew hunt tags in northern Arizona can get free non-lead ammunition.

The agency says the free ammunition program applies to hunters hunting in the north Kaibab National Forest and Arizona Strip.

They should have received information about the program in the mail.

According to the agency, 88% of hunters have voluntarily used ammunition without lead since 2008.

Those who use lead ammunition are urged to remove gut piles that may contain lead shot and bullet fragments.

In a news release, AZGFD stated, "Hunters that remove their gut piles (lead ammunition only) are eligible to be entered into a raffle that offers prizes including an elk hunt on the Navajo Nation, Phoenix Zoo Total Experience tickets, Sportsmans Warehouse gift cards and other prizes generously donated by multiple wildlife conservation partners."

Lead poisoning is the leading cause of death found among endangered condors in Arizona as well as southern Utah.

For more information on condors and lead and a list of available non-lead ammunition, visit www.azgfd.gov/condor