Why we need more fishing lures like this?

Lead is a toxic metal that, in sufficient quantities, has adverse effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of mammals and birds. Found in most fishing jigs and sinkers, this metal is poisoning wildlife such as loons and eagles.

Raptors such as the American bald eagle, Andrean condor, honey buzzard, king vulture, and California condor can suffer from secondary lead poisoning after eating a lead contaminated fish or waterfowl.

You may not be aware that lead has already been banned in a number of states and that list is growing every year. Many of the State Parks throughout the United States also have banned the use of lead.

Fact is, Lead Kills!

Lead is a health hazard to both humans and animals. In humans, even very low amounts of lead poisoning may result in possible IQ reduction, learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, reduced growth, kidney damage, and hearing impairment. Higher levels of lead poisoning can cause mental retardation, coma, increased blood pressure, fertility problems, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, irritability, concentration problems-and even death.

Animals with lead poisoning will exhibit physical and behavioral changes, such as loss of balance or tremors. This makes the animal more vulnerable to predators. Birds have trouble taking care of their young, feeding or nesting. Lead poisoning often kills the birds 2-3 weeks after ingesting the lead.

How do birds and fish get poisoned?

Waterfowl such as ducks, swans and loons scoop food and pebbles off the bottom of ponds. They ingest lead fishing weights thinking the lead sinkers are stones that will aid in their digestion. The lead gets into their stomachs and dissolves, poisoning the bird. The fish become poisoned when they swallow lead fishing weights on fishing lines. Birds of prey such as eagles and falcons eat the poisoned fish and waterfowl. The lead ends up in their stomachs where it can slowly poison the birds.

The point is, using lead weights/sinkers and lead lures is something we all have in our control. There are alternatives that can be used whether we are fishing or hunting. It's all up to us.

All of us here at Hookem want to help make our evironment a safer place for everything and everyone. That is why we are committed to making our lures as enviromentally friendly as possible.

Really, when you think about it, the world doesn't just belong to us.