There is a debate currently raging in the hunting world: should there be a switch to "green" bullets?  Green bullets are ones that do not use lead, which is proven to be hazardous to humans and the environment.  There are people in the hunting community that say there is no reason not to switch to green bullets, and that the benefits of doing so are great.  There are others that say that it is not worth it, since the lead-free bullets can be more expensive or harder to find. 

There are some bullet manufacturers that are using copper instead of lead, and are seeing an increase in their non-lead ammunition sales.  Big name manufacturers, like Winchester and Remington, are also jumping on the green band wagon and are now producing greener alternatives to lead bullets.

Not only are shooting ranges banning lead bullets from being used, but some states are making it policy to discontinue them.  California is one such state, where they have banned lead bullet use in areas of the state where there is wildlife reserves.  The Condor, an endangered animal, lives in these areas and is known to eat the scrap bullets left behind.  Lead is extremely dangerous and poisonous, and could be contributing to the rising number in death of these animals.

Lead bullets can also poison the meat of the animal shot.  If you hunt with lead bullets and shoot an elk to feed your family, the lead in the bullet can leach, which can make your family sick after eating the meat.

Regardless of how you feel about hunting, everyone can agree that there needs to be less lead being used in products that we come in contact with.  If it is something that is dangerous to the environment, wildlife and ourselves, it needs to be removed.  Lead has been proven over and over to be hazardous, and there needs to be a demand to stop its use.

(Original CNN article)