TIME TO PUT AN END TO DUCK HUNTING IN VICTORIA

LAST night as I watched ABC news I was reminded once again of the failure of the Victorian Government to ban duck hunting permanently.

Victoria is one of the few states in Australia that allows this so-called ‘recreational activity’, although only a small percentage of people take part.

The Game Management Authority is a government regulator. It is responsible for humane treatment of animals that are hunted, and it also has to minimise negative impacts on non- game wildlife, including protected and threatened species.

So, the killing of water birds in their natural habitat is considered to be humane. The water birds are disturbed in their habitat by hunters who then shoot them in the sky as these water birds desperately fly away to escape. Imagine the pain, terror and confusion as their bodies plummet to the ground, if they are still alive!

If they are still alive the GMA recommends those retrieved by hand should be knocked out by a single heavy committed blow to the back of the skull, and then killed by either strangulation or decapitation.

Some are left to die because they are protected or threatened species and the hunters don’t want to risk a fine for illegally shooting these birds.

The water bird identification test only requires a 75 per cent pass mark.

If a dog or cat was shot for sport the hunter would be charged with a criminal offence.

When will Daniel Andrews stop supporting this barbaric and cruel sport opposed by most of Victorians? Suzanne Roberts, Newcomb