General News
29 June, 2024
Duck hunt protesters draw ire of game authority
ANTI-DUCK shooting activists must act safely and legally, said Game Management Authority CEO Graeme Ford. Mr Ford said the 2024 hunting had seen 23 people suspected of breaching public safety laws, He said they had entered or remained in a specified...
ANTI-DUCK shooting activists must act safely and legally, said Game Management Authority CEO Graeme Ford.
Mr Ford said the 2024 hunting had seen 23 people suspected of breaching public safety laws,
He said they had entered or remained in a specified hunting area or hindered or harassed hunters.
The authority issued 22 banning notices for the season.
“There was an increase in the number of suspected breaches to public safety laws detected over the 2024 season,” he said.
“Public safety laws are in place to provide a safe environment for all land users.
“While those who oppose duck hunting have a right to protest, they must do so safely and legally,” Mr Ford said.
Seven non-hunters are also being investigated for hindering or obstructing an authorised officer.
Activists have claimed hunters damaged Aboriginal scar trees and protesters were handcuffed on the final weekend of the season at Lake Boort.
Long-time advocate against the duck hunting season Laurie Levy made the claims a day after the 2024 season ended. Police confirmed they were investigating a report of an assault in Boort on June 2.
And the authority said a person had been fined for illegally cutting down a tree at Lake Boort and it was supporting police investigating the assault claim.
The authority later said its authorised officers checked more than 1550 game licences and inspected more than 1,200 hunter bags during the season.
A total of 56 breaches were detected throughout the 2024 duck season. It says 22 infringement notices will be issued and the authority is investigating another 32 matters.
The end-of-season report said 26 hunting related offences were detected, with the main offence themes being an invalid game licence, being in possession of toxic shot and failing to leave a wing attached.
Mr Ford said: “While some people breached game hunting and public safety laws, most of the people our authorised officers spoke with were complying with the law.”