Hunting: nonlead ammunition.

Existing law requires the use of nonlead centerfire rifle and pistol ammunition, as determined by the Fish and Game Commission, when taking big game with a rifle or pistol, and when taking coyote, within the California condor range. Existing law further requires, as soon as is practicable, but by no later than July 1, 2019, the use of nonlead ammunition for the taking of all wildlife, including game mammals, game birds, nongame birds, and nongame mammals, with any firearm, and requires the commission to promulgate regulations by July 1, 2015, that phase in the requirements of these provisions. This bill would exempt the northern and north central regions from the requirement that nonlead ammunition be used for the taking of all wildlife. The bill would also require, no later than July 1, 2017, the Director of Fish and Wildlife to make findings regarding the commercial availability of each type of nonlead projectile and nonlead ammunition, as defined, and to publish these findings on the commission's Internet Web site. The bill would require, if a type of nonlead projectile or nonlead ammunition is not commercially available, the commission to exempt those types of lead projectiles and lead ammunition from those provisions and regulations adopted by the commission requiring the use of nonlead projectiles or nonlead ammunition for the taking of all wildlife.