Hunter puts his ducks on the table

DUCK hunter Peter Darke says all the shooters he knows eat every bird they kill and very few, if any, would take home their allowed daily limit of 10 during the hunting season.

Mr Darke, who has been hunting ducks for 40 years and is part of Field Hunting and Conservation Tasmania, said hunting ducks was actually a service to the community because it protected crops and water for livestock from contamination.

Tasmania’s annual duck season starts in March and the Tasmanian Greens, the RSPCA and Birdlife Tasmania on Wednesday renewed their call for duck hunting to be banned in this state, as it is in some others.

There are about 1500 registered duck hunters in Tasmania and each shooter is allowed to take 10 ducks each per day.

Those who oppose the practice say up to 50,000 ducks are in the firing line each season.

But Mr Darke said no hunters he knew would take anywhere near that number of birds.

“I’d be happy if I got two or three,” he said.

“Where I hunt there are about 15 guys and we might get 150 for the season. Now we are limited to double barrelled shotguns, we need to be a lot more careful and precise,” he said.

“Everyone shoots for the table. Recipe ideas fly left right and centre among the group.”

Mr Darke said duck hunting was a traditional activity in Tasmania.

“And not just in country areas. Wood ducks are prolific breeders and we do a service to the community,” he said.

“We serve the farming community. Mountain ducks damage crops, like the 130 or so in the Midlands that were pulling out baby carrots from a farmer’s crop.

“And ducks in farm dams poo everywhere and make the water not fit for stock.”