THE 2023 duck hunting season is one week in and already both sides of the recreational activity have fired shots at each other.
Hunting organisation Field and Game Australia said “lies from those who oppose duck hunting are coming thick and fast”.
“As well as downright illegal behaviour from activists,” FGA said in a statement.
“Field and Game members have been witness to numerous instances of activists trespassing on private land at the weekend, in blatant disregard for the law – not to mention their actions posing a serious biosecurity risk.
“Their underhanded tactics have also included attempting to indiscriminately scare all species away from wetlands, disrupting law-abiding hunters’ efforts to harvest food for their families.”
Animal activist and Northern Victoria MP Georgie Purcell posted graphic images to social media on the opening day, showing a mutilated duck.
“But it’s day one of Victoria’s disgraceful recreational duck shooting season, and the reality needs to be seen,” she said.
“This is a blue-winged shoveler, not only are they illegal to shoot, they were recently listed as a threatened species.
“But duck shooters still saw it fit to kill this protected bird, harvest their breast meat, and stuff their body into a tree.”
The 2023 season started on April 25 and closes 30 minutes after sunset on Tuesday, May 30.
The bag limit is four birds per day.
It is prohibited to hunt blue-winged shoveler and hardhead across Victoria as both species were recently listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
Hunters and the general public were urged to report irresponsible behaviour as well as any illegal hunting to Game Management Authority through its website www.gma.vic.gov.au or on 136 186.
