Politics & Council
5 February, 2024
Duck hunters given tick for the future
VICTORIAN duck shooters have won their fight to hunt after the State Government on Tuesday rejected a report recommendation to ban the sport. The Government’s decision has been applauded by Loddon Shire’s Terrick Ward councillor Dan Straub who...
VICTORIAN duck shooters have won their fight to hunt after the State Government on Tuesday rejected a report recommendation to ban the sport.
The Government’s decision has been applauded by Loddon Shire’s Terrick Ward councillor Dan Straub who spearheaded council’s submission to last year’s Parliamentary inquiry.
Council argued that duck hunting brought economic stimulus to the shire and benefitted rural mental health.
Cr Straub said retention of a duck hunting season would “bolster a long-standing tradition and culture.”
He also called on anti-hunt activitists to respect the Government’s decision and allow hunters to legally shoot without intimidation.
Opposition agriculture spokesperson Emma Kealy said the decision was a win for commonsense. “A biased and stacked Inquiry which recommended the end of duck harvesting was a sham and the Liberals and Nationals strongly support the practice continuing.
“Labor, the Greens and the Animal Justice Party members involved in the Inquiry into Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements based their judgements on ideology alone, ignoring science.
“As we have said all along, duck harvesting is sustainable, safe and has huge economic benefits,” Ms Kealy said.
The 2024 season will run from April 10 to June 5. Hunting each day will be allowed from 8am.
Hunters will have a six-duck bag daily limit.
From 2025, there will be further changes to the duck hunting season:
Improving hunters’ knowledge and skill by making education and training for hunters mandatory;
Stricter compliance levels, including further penalties for hunters breaking the rules;
Banning the use of lead shot for quail hunting;
Implementing the Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan, to reduce the risk of wounding, and
Greater recognition of traditional owners’ knowledge of hunting and land management.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos said: “Duck hunting is a legitimate activity – but more than that, it supports regional communities and economies.”
“Our position has not changed and we’re supporting recreational duck and quail hunting to continue in a safe, sustainable and responsible way with minimal harm to our environment,” Mr Dimopoulos said.