Duck hunt shots fired
MPs argue over season data
ANIMAL advocates have raised concerns about the method used by state’s hunting regulator that has seen the government increase the number of ducks that can be shot per day.
When the duck season opens in May, hunters can shoot five ducks a day, while the geographic restrictions on hunting of two duck species that advocates are concerned about will also be lifted.
Hunting advocates such as Geelongbased Liberal Upper House MP Bev McArthur say daily hunting limits and the season’s length should be increased.
But Upper House Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick, who wants duck shooting banned in Victoria, said the Game Management Authority had updated the government with its own survey to “trigger a backflip on season arrangements”.
“It only highlights the major flaw in having a regulatory body for shooters, made up of shooters,” he said.
Ms McArthur said duck hunters completed “commendable conservation work” in wetland areas and ensured “numerous water species flourish, not just the small percentage that are hunted over a very limited period of time”.
“Duck hunting is a perfectly legitimate recreational activity that provides a valuable outdoor experience to its participants and economic benefits to rural towns,” she said.
However Mr Meddick said native waterbirds were struggling and in longterm decline. “The decision to remove grey teal as ‘game’ species for 2021 was made for a reason — reduced bird numbers and breeding,” he said.
“If new evidence suggests numbers have improved it should be celebrated — not used as a reason to thrill kill.”
RSPCA Victoria chief executive Liz Walker said it was estimated more than 62,000 ducks were wounded and “not killed outright” in the 2019 season.
“We are very concerned that data from a trial pilot survey has been used to make changes to restrictions imposed on this year’s season, particularly considering the pilot’s own report outlines several recommendations for changes, modifications, and improvements to the survey’s methodology,” she said. “The need for these modifications suggests that the survey data is not as rigorous as it could be.”