Incidence of Ingested Shotgun Shell Pellets in Illinois Mallards as Determined by Radiology: 1979 Season

Anderson, William L.; Brewer, Paul A.

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Description

Title

Incidence of Ingested Shotgun Shell Pellets in Illinois Mallards as Determined by Radiology: 1979 Season

Author(s)

• Anderson, William L.
• Brewer, Paul A.

Issue Date

1980-10-23

Keyword(s)

• Shot ingestion by waterfowl
• Shotgun pellets
• Mallards

Abstract

The incidence of ingested shotgun shell pellets in 3,389 mallard gizzards collected at 26 locations in Illinois during the 1979 hunting season was 6.3% by visual examination, 7-9% by X-ray of grit, and 8.2% by X-ray of grit plus fluoroscopy of food. The incidence along the Illinois River was 8.4% from Spring Valley to Peoria, 7-5% from Peoria to Havana, 15.0% from Havana to Meredosia, and 8.0% from Kampsvi Ile to Grafton, all of which exceed the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service's 5.0% action level for requiring nontoxic steel shot for waterfowl hunting. Incidence on Pool 25 (Batchtown PHA) of the Mississippi River was 16.0%. For reservoirs, the incidence was 2.2% at Sangchris Lake, 2.0% at Carlyle Lake, and 3. 1% at Mermet Lake. The over-all ratio of ingested lead pellets to ingested steel pellets was 84: 16. At Mal lard Farms DC, where steel shot was used exclusively in 1979, the ratio was 58:42. A minimum of 116,040 mallards were estimated to have ingested shotgun shell pellets in Illinois during the 1979 season. The incidence of shot-in pellets among 'all 3,389 gizzards was 6.0%.

Series/Report Name or Number

Glen Sanderson Collection no. 1736

Type of Resource

text

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