General News
18 January, 2024
Duck hunting future unclear
With a decision regarding the future of duck hunting in Victoria expected next month, new data indicates that residents supporting a ban outnumber those participating in the activity by about four times. Within the Ripon electorate there are a total...
With a decision regarding the future of duck hunting in Victoria expected next month, new data indicates that residents supporting a ban outnumber those participating in the activity by about four times.
Within the Ripon electorate there are a total of 530 duck hunting license holders compared to around 2000 people who support animal welfare organisations —244 locals back Wildlife Victoria, 1347are Animals Australia supporters and 628 have donated to RSPCA Victoria in the last five years.
The three groups, collectively calling for a ban on duck hunting, released these figures ahead of a potential announcement by the Victorian Government on the matter, anticipated to be made in February.
The awaited decision follows a parliamentary inquiry into the state’s annual recreational native bird hunting — in light of which, the select committee formally recommended on August 31, last year, that the practice be banned from 2024 onwards.
After the release of the inquiry’s findings, the State Government was given six months to respond to the report — that deadline is now fast approaching.
According to RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker, the official advice to ban duck hunting is based on clear and considerable evidence which must be heeded.
“We cannot see any reason why the [State] Government would not accept and implement that recommendation,” she said.
“The injury, pain, suffering, distress and death of our native birds through hunting is completely unacceptable and data shows the majority of Victorians agree.
“The evidence is there, and other states like Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia banned it up to three decades ago with people still able to enjoy the great outdoors.”
Prior to making their recommendations, the committee accepted 10,402 polarising submissions — with the subject found to be “highly emotive” and “political” as noted in the report.
Factors that influenced the final recommendation included animal welfare concerns related to wounding rates and accidental or incidental harm caused to threatened bird species.
“The sheer volume of feedback sent to politicians by our members each year that duck shooting continues, reflects the general sentiment of most Victorians who care about Australian wildlife,” Animals Australia CEO Glenys Oogjes said.
“The unavoidable fear, wounding and suffering caused by recreational shooting is unacceptable in 2024, and the community is making this very clear to MPs.
“The level of support we know that exists in the community for a ban should embolden [the government] to make the right decision, and the kindest.”
Locally, the Maryborough Field Naturalists Club also backed the inquiry’s recommendations — with members of the opinion that Victoria needed to follow in the example of other states that had banned recreational duck hunting.
“We as a club desperately want a ban to be issued,” the club’s secretary Barb Thomson told The Advertiser in October last year.
“Our native birds are part of our ecological system and if you take away one bird there is a domino effect impacting many other species. We think all ducks are beautiful and we want to ensure that their numbers are maintained for our future generations.
“The number of duck shooters in Victoria have also been dwindling over recent decades as the community becomes more conservation minded.”