ST PAUL, MINN--"Are we jumping the gun here?" asked hunter and outdoorsman, John Peck. "People have been using lead bullets since guns were invented.
Seventy-eight year old Senator Jim Vickerman shared his sentiments. "I've been eating venison since I was 10 year's old."
Wednesday the Environment and Natural Resource Committee met to learn how much impact hunting with lead bullets has on animals and people.
"Children under five and pregnant women should stay away from and refrain from eating lead;" Minnesota Department of Health's John L. Stine said.
Lead affects brain development in children in low doses and can be fatal in high doses. Adults who consume low doses of lead may experience increased blood pressure and reduced kidney function, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
The Big Game Program Coordinator, for the Department of Natural Resources, Lou Cornicelli presented his findings after testing several types of commonly used bullets to find out how much lead is dispersed after an animal is shot.
After x-raying test carcasses, he found lead fragments exceeded the normal two-inches from the entrance wound margin. The x-ray scanned 14 inches around the wound, but contamination was found even 18 inches away; Cornicelli said.
"We can't say go out 16 inches, cause then all you're really left with is a head and a tail."
Lead was not found when enclosed lead core bullets and copper bullets were used, according to the DNR. When asked to compare the killing power between the two, Cornicelli replied "The deer probably doesn't know the difference."
Fragments picked up by the x-ray vary in size. The smallest is about the size of the tip of a pin; Cornicelli said. But, "for me, [a fragment] is something I can see."
When you're eating a piece of meat and you see something in it you pick it out; Senator Vickerman said. "What ever happened to common sense around this place? You got to take care of yourself."
The Venison Donation bill passed two years ago. People donate their meat to food shelves in a program that helps control deer population and feed the hungry.
Venison is a good source of lean protein for the community, according to the DNR. Senators wondered about proper labeling on packages so pregnant mothers and children wouldn't eat possibly contaminated meat.
This year 20,000 lbs of meat or 700 deer carcasses were distributed. Six percent of that meat was contaminated.
After learning about the danger of eating lead in meat last year, the program spent an extra dollar, making it $2.75 per pound to have this meat x-rayed.
"Maybe processors would be more careful if they're not reimbursed for rejected meat;" said to committee chairman Satveer Chaudhary.
"I'm here for two reasons; Peck said. "Because I don't want to see this bill die, and if it does, to see if I can get a hand on some of that funding for my personal donation program."
Peck is not only an avid outdoorsman and hunter he's Rochester's Area Programmer for the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program.
Peck believes that because some hunters donate money to the Venison Donation Bill when they buy their hunting license that there is enough funding to keep it alive.
"The money is coming in, but I don't see how they could use the [budget] deficit to turn it down."
Next Monday the committee plans to hold a joint hearing with the health committee about chemicals in all food products.
