This hunting season, choose lead-free.

Lead-free ammunition incentives available at 26 refuges across 19 states — 2026–2027 hunting season

Submit your proof of purchase (June 2025-June 2026)   Find a participating refuge

Program at a glance

  • 26 participating refuges across 19 states
  • Receive up to $50 per box — rifle; $25/box shotgun or muzzleloader
  • 8 upcoming free public workshops — June through August 2026

Why choose lead-free hunting ammunition?

Lead fragments on impact. Lead ammunition loses weight as small pieces strip from the front of the bullet or shot as it passes through an animal. These fragments are found farther from the wound channel than you may expect, and many are too small to see with the naked eye, making them difficult to remove.

Fragments reach scavengers. Lead fragments may be left in the remains after harvesting an animal, even after field dressing. Remains from field-dressed animals provide a food source for scavenging wildlife, including bald and golden eagles.

Lead-free ammunition leaves less behind. When ingested, a lead fragment no bigger than a grain of rice can sicken and even kill an animal the size of a bald eagle. Lead-free ammunition leaves little or no fragments behind that could be consumed by scavenging wildlife.

White-tailed deer buck surrounded by green vegetation
Image Details

How can you help?

Protect wildlife by choosing lead-free ammunition this hunting season. Encourage other hunters to choose lead-free ammunition for all hunting, including big game.

How the incentive works

Step 1 — Purchase lead-free ammunition. Buy lead-free hunting ammunition before your hunt. Practice with the lead-free ammunition and sight in your firearm. Keep your receipt and the box — you will need both to submit for the incentive.

Step 2 — Submit proof of purchase. Submit your current year refuge hunting permit, a photo of your lead-free ammunition box, and your purchase receipt. (2026-2027 submission portal link coming soon).

Step 3 — Get your prepaid debit card. Receive a prepaid debit card for up to $50 per box of lead-free hunting ammunition ($25/box for shotgun or muzzleloader and $50/box for rifle). Limit 2 boxes of ammunition per eligible hunter. Incentives will be provided on a first come, first served basis until the available funds at each refuge are exhausted.

Submit your proof of purchase (June 2025-June 2026)

Find a participating refuge

The following national wildlife refuges are participating in the lead-free hunting ammunition incentive program during the 2026–2027 hunting season. Refuges marked with * are also hosting free public educational workshops in summer 2026. See workshop schedule below.

Lead-free incentive program hunting locations — 2026–2027 season
RefugeStateAuthorized hunt typePublic workshop date
Alamosa National Wildlife RefugeColoradoElk
Baca National Wildlife RefugeColoradoElk
Monte Vista National Wildlife RefugeColoradoElk
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge*GeorgiaDeerSaturday, August 15
Camas National Wildlife Refuge*IdahoElkSaturday, August 15
Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeMarylandDeer and turkey
Eastern Neck National Wildlife RefugeMarylandDeer and spring turkey
Patuxent Research Refuge*MarylandDeerSaturday, July 11
Parker River National Wildlife RefugeMassachusettsDeer
Desert National Wildlife RefugeNevadaBighorn sheep
Great Bay National Wildlife RefugeNew HampshireDeer and spring turkey
Cape May National Wildlife RefugeNew JerseyDeer
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife RefugeNew JerseyDeer
Wallkill River National Wildlife RefugeNew JerseyAll authorized species (refuge hunting permit required)
Montezuma National Wildlife RefugeNew YorkDeer
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Pungo Unit*North CarolinaDeerSaturday, June 20
Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge*OklahomaDeerSaturday, August 8
William L. Finley National Wildlife RefugeOregonAntlerless elk (refuge hunting permit required)
Ninigret National Wildlife RefugeRhode IslandDeer
Lacreek National Wildlife RefugeSouth DakotaDeer
Caddo Lake National Wildlife RefugeTexasDeer
Missisquoi National Wildlife RefugeVermontDeer
Nulhegan Division of Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife RefugeVermontMoose and deer
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge*VirginiaDeerSunday, July 12
Canaan Valley National Wildlife RefugeWest VirginiaAll authorized species
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge*WisconsinDeerSaturday, August 1

Summer 2026 educational workshops

This summer, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North American Lead-Free Partnership are hosting free public workshops at eight refuges across the country. Try lead-free ammunition on the range, compare ballistics side-by-side, and get your questions answered. No commitment required.

  • Pocosin Lakes NWR, North Carolina — Saturday, June 20 Register
  • San Luis Valley NWR Complex, Colorado — Saturday, June 27 Register
  • Patuxent Research Refuge, Maryland — Saturday, July 11 Register
  • Rappahannock River Valley NWR, Virginia — Sunday, July 12 Register
  • Trempealeau NWR, Wisconsin — Saturday, August 1 Register
  • Tishomingo NWR, Oklahoma — Saturday, August 8 Register
  • Camas NWR, Idaho — Saturday, August 15 Register
  • Piedmont NWR, Georgia — Saturday, August 15 Register

Lead-Free Ammunition Partners

This program is a collaborative public and private partnership effort, guided by the former Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council federal advisory group, to educate and empower hunters in their choice of hunting ammunition.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies adopted Voluntary Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Reducing Unintended Ingestion of Lead Ammunition and Tackle Residues in Wildlife in September 2025. These BMPs, developed by the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, provide practical, voluntary options for hunters — including guidance on recovering game, selecting ammunition, and reducing lead exposure.

Download Best Management Practices

Learn More About Lead-Free Ammunition

The North American Lead-free Partnership works with us to administer this program and provides valuable resources for hunters who want to reduce the presence of lead left behind when hunting. 

North American Lead-Free Partnership

News and resources

Submit your proof of purchase (June 2025-June 2026)   Plan your hunt

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