Protesters take aim at Tasmanian duck season, which opens tomorrow

ANIMAL welfare groups are again calling for Tasmania’s duck shooting season to be banned, saying birds using the island state as a refuge are being caught up in the hunt.

ANIMAL welfare groups are again calling for Tasmania’s duck shooting season to be banned, saying birds using the island state as a refuge are being caught up in the hunt.

The three-month hunt starts tomorrow and there are calls for the State Government to outlaw the shooting.

“Native ducks will once more be subjected to a barrage of gunfire, with the inevitable suffering and wounding that results,” Animals Tasmania spokeswoman Yvette Watt said.

Protesters plan to take action by dressing in bright clothing, waving flags and blowing whistles to direct the birds away from wetlands where shooters gather.

Moulting Lagoon became Swan Lake last year, with protesters donning tutus to oppose the duck hunting season. Picture: SUPPLIED

Birdlife Tasmania convenor Eric Woehler said 2017 was the time to ban the hunt, with ducks already under pressure including the gradual decline of wetland areas.

“Duck numbers vary according to conditions here and on the mainland, with Tasmania a refuge for mainland birds during periods of drought in southeast Australia,” Dr Woehler said.

“This influx of mainland birds creates the false illusion of high numbers of waterfowl in Tasmania, which are used by hunters and the state government to justify the harvest.”

Under Tasmanian law, hunters must attain for a permit to shoot ducks and must also hold a firearm licence.

To be eligible for a permit, first-time applicants must pass a Waterfowl Identification Test administered by the Government.

Duck Rescue co-ordinator Yvette Watt with one of the decoy ducks that activists use to protect ducks from shooters. Picture: RICHARD JUPE