BACKGROUND

It has been established that the conventional lead shot pellets used in shotguns are toxic, and that in wetlands the wildfowl are particularly susceptible, so effective shotgun ammunition utilising alternative shot materials is sought. The purpose of the QUARRY program is to provide a comprehensive predictive model of the effectiveness of shotguns against wildfowl to enable comparison of shotgun ammunition types. The program allows for wildfowl physiology, variations in shooter ability, use of retrieving dogs in wetland locations and ranging policy to enable determination of the in-the-field practices appropriate to the alternative ammunition.

Wherever possible the program uses information that accords with normal shooting terminology, and the outputs are in the readily understandable terms of 'take home bag' and 'unretrieved shot birds'. New terminology and data is introduced where necessary, this being related to shooter accuracy, field policy and target description: the use of these terms is clarified by their practical application in a worked example. Further details can be found in Part 2 of this document.

Why is this computer program useful? The extensive knowledge base for lead shot has been amassed over more than a century, but the initiative to replace lead with non-toxic alternatives demands a steep learning curve. The 'ballistic history' of pellets from breech to target is harsh: in a 12g shotgun the pellets are driven by a force exceeding 1^1/2 tonnes, and rammed at supersonic speed through the constricting choke at the muzzle. Their flight needs to suffer minimal aerodynamic retardation, and they must disperse consistently. The few pellets which strike the quarry must not break-up under the high stresses of punching through tough feathers and skin, needing to retain sufficient momentum to potentially penetrate vital tissues. It is difficult to find a substitute for lead which can satisfy not only these ballistic requirements, but is also cost effective and, above all, non-toxic. Whilst other authorities and agencies are addressing other aspects, this computer program is a tool intended to help assess the lethality issues of the 'ballistic history', whether from the point of view of the gun and ammunition manufacturer, conservationists, or wildfowlers wishing to select a shot material and appropriate field practices.