From the NY State Conservation Council

Bill A10352/S9473 would prohibit donation of wild game taken with lead ammunition.

Bills A10352/S9473, which would prohibit the donation of game harvested with lead ammunition for human consumption, is being framed as a food safety measure. But many of us recognize it for what it really is: a step toward a broader effort to restrict or eliminate the use of lead ammunition altogether. In that sense, this bill is not standing alone—it is a stepchild of a much larger strategy.

And as hunters, we already have a clear and firm position on its “parent.”

If passed, these bills would significantly reduce the amount of venison donated each year— tens of thousands of pounds that currently go to families in need through programs supported by the DEC, Feeding NYS, the Venison Donation Coalition, Hunters Helping the Hungry and numerous local organizations. It would also risk undermining deer population management by discouraging harvest, especially among hunters who rely on donation programs to make full use of their tags.

Equally important, there is no widely accepted, conclusive scientific evidence showing that properly processed venison harvested with lead ammunition poses a meaningful health risk. Yet this bill would remove a critical food source and set a precedent for further restrictions on our hunting practices.

We cannot afford to treat this as an isolated issue. It is part of a broader agenda that affects all of us, and it demands a unified response.

Contact your State Assembly Member and voice your opposition to A10352/S9473.

Your voice matters. The strength of our community lies in our willingness to stand up, speak out, and protect both our traditions and the people who benefit from them.

Thank you for taking action.