By Robert P. Moore

Once again, fall is here and our thoughts turn to the woods and the marshes. The deer are active, the squirrels and the rabbits are scurrying and the ducks are migrating. For hunters, the fall is the best time of the year. Finally, we can leave our everyday existence and pursue our favorite game.

Unlike big game and small game hunters, waterfowl and migratory bird hunters are strictly regulated by the federal government. For generations, waterfowl hunters used lead shot and never thought twice about it; why should they? It was a given. However, with the onset of migration surveys, crippled waterfowl surveys, waterfowl reproduction surveys and lead-to-water surveys, the federal government ruled that lead was not the best shot for waterfowl. Countless studies and surveys showed that lead is toxic and the residual effects of lead on crippled waterfowl would be detrimental to future generations.

Because of the ban on lead for waterfowl hunting, alternative materials were sought. High-density shot made from steel was the immediate answer. Steel shot is fast and clean and delivers a good, hard hit, so most waterfowlers were pleased. Steel delivers tight patterns - up to 90% at 40 yards, making it an excellent choice for decoy hunting. For fly-by wingshooters and skybusters, though, steel does not have the desired range.

In 1997, Federal Cartridge Co. announced that it would manufacture a new non-toxic shot from tungsten, and hunters' ears were listening. Waterfowlers across the continent realized they had a powerful new ally in a duck blind. With the speed of steel and the power of lead, tungsten would set new standards for non-toxic ammunition. With tight patterns and superior penetration even at long ranges, tungsten-iron is an excellent choice for geese, larger ducks and pass-shooting. Tungsten-iron has velocities of 1400 to 1450 fps, heavier high-density polyethylene wads, and smaller shot charges so it is comparable to high velocity steel. However, the pellets are more dense than steel and when combined with the higher velocity have more downrange energy than lead.

Another alternative to lead and steel shot is bismuth. The Winchester-Olin Corp. teamed up with Bismuth Cartridge to bring this new material to duck and goose hunters. Like tungsten, bismuth is a non-toxic material accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as suitable for waterfowl hunting. Bismuth has many advantages, but one of the most important ones is that it can be used in shotguns that are suitable for lead shot, including those will full chokes. How can this be? It all relates to Brinnell hardness. Lead's Brinnell hardness is 12 and bismuth's Brinnell hardness is 18. Also, because bismuth is close to lead in density, it's easy to load bismuth to the same velocities as lead. This means you don't have to alter your lead on ducks and geese because of a velocity change. Another big bonus with bismuth is that larger shot quantities can be packed into the hull - shot quantities that are close to the lead loads of the 1970s and early 1980s. According to the Bismuth Co., Bismuth's 3-inch shells with 1 3/8 ounces of shot have 969 pounds of energy at 40 yards with a 40-yard velocity of 792 fps compared to 733 foot-pounds of energy and 831 fps at 40 yards for tungsten 3-inch 1 1/8 ounce loads. That's an energy advantage of 32% with less velocity.

So there it is. Duck and goose season is upon us and it's time to get ready, if you're not already. Check your waders, check your gun, check your decoys and buy your non-toxic shot because this year's season promises to be one of the best in recent memory. Waterfowl populations are way up and the flyways are in good shape (more rain never hurts) so be sure that the shot that you choose is right for your style of hunting.