State government facing criticism over 90 day duck shooting season
Wildlife advocates are furious at this year’s extended duck shooting season, while a Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP says one “strange” rule will anger shooters.
Victoria
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The state government has come under fire for announcing the 2022 duck shooting season will run for 90 days – 70 days longer than last year’s season.
It comes despite the state recording its third lowest score of water bird abundance in almost 40 years and follows RSPCA Victoria polling last week that a majority of Victoria’s supported a ban on duck shooting.
This year’s duck shooting season is set to commence at 8am on March 16 and will run until June 13 with a daily bag limit of four birds.
Blue-winged Shoveler and Hardhead may not be hunted across Victoria as both species were recently listed as threatened due to declining populations.
Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick said it was an “unforgivable decision” by the government.
“They have once again acted in the interest of shooters and against animal welfare, science, public sentiment and common sense,” Mr Meddick said.
Mr Meddick argued the practice is “inherently cruel” and risked wiping out native species.
“That’s why every other mainland state in Eastern Australia has banned it. It’s time for Victoria to do the same and end this state-sanctioned native wildlife slaughter,” he added.
“Every year we get a look into the grim future of our native waterbirds and with that comes an opportunity to turn it around. This government won’t be excused for failing in its duty to Victoria’s wildlife.
“I’m angry and upset at this heartless decision, but I am also more determined than ever. This is the longest we’ve waited for a decision on the season and it’s clear that the pressure for a ban is mounting.”
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Jeff Bourman also slammed the bag limit cap.
“My key issue is the bag limit – honestly after all rain we’ve had – four ducks is almost non-sensible,” he told the Herald Sun.
“These strange numbers are not going to please anyone.
“It’s been one of the wettest years in a long time followed by virtually two non-seasons. There are millions and millions of birds.”
Mr Bourman said while there was misinformation surrounding the practice, hunters that fail to collect wounded birds should be dealt with accordingly.
“It’s the law that you have to pick them up, and I’m not interested in protecting those who do the wrong thing. They should be dealt with,” he said.
“The vast majority that hunt ducks eat them and they will freeze what they don’t eat.
“As distasteful as this for the anti-duck hunters, they need to look at what’s the lesser of two evils.”
A Victorian government spokeswoman said arrangements for the season were based on independent harvest modelling by two experts in waterfowl ecology and population dynamics.
“We recognise there are strong views in the Victorian community both for and against recreational game hunting,” she said.
“The Game Management Authority (GMA) has accepted the modelling and recommended a restricted season to ensure that hunting is sustainable, responsible and safe.
“On that basis we have accepted the GMA’s recommendation to alter this year’s season.”
Coalition Against Duck Shooting spokesman Craig Davey said the Andrews government had “declared war on native waterbirds”.
“The government should be held responsible for decimating Australia’s native waterbirds, especially when their numbers are in serious trouble,” he said.
Mr Davey claimed the GMA’s helicopter bird survey – which estimated about 2.9 million waterbirds over the state – wasn’t credible.
“Last year only 13,394 ducks were counted, but this figure was then scaled up to an absurd total estimate of 2.45 million. It was based on new complex modelling and maths which was ripe for cherrypicking by vested interests,” he said.
“This year the helicopter survey was conducted in October 2021 yet our recent wetland surveys have shown dangerously low numbers of waterbirds on Victoria’s wetlands.”
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