ANIMAL welfare organisation RSPCA Victoria is calling on the State Government to cancel the 2022 duck hunting season amid evidence of a decline in native duck numbers.
The State Government is yet to announce details for this year’s duck hunting season, which was slammed by Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh last week.
“The pandemic, the shorter seasons and the reduced bag limits have all been disappointing for hunters, they deserve a full season,” Mr Walsh said.
“Most recent data estimates duck populations have remained strong across Victoria, with estimates of between 2.9 and 3.6 million game ducks, numbers buoyed by our consecutive wet years combined with La Niña conditions over summer, have only sustained populations.”
RSPCA Victoria policy and advocacy manager Clare Brealey said RSPCA was opposed to the recreational hunting of any animal for sport due to the inherent and unnecessary injury, pain, suffering, distress or death to the animals involved.
“Duck hunting results in distress, fear, pain and suffering for tens of thousands of birds each year,” Ms Brealey said.
“Use of shotguns results in a substantial number of ducks being wounded – previous research has indicated up to 26 per cent of birds shot will be wounded, maimed or crippled before dying, but this could be as high as 33 per cent.”
The State Government told the Gannawarra Times it recognised there were “strong” views in the community both in favour of and against game hunting.
“Arrangements for the duck hunting season are reviewed each year on the advice of the Game Management Authority to ensure that hunting is sustainable, responsible and safe,” a spokesperson said.
Mr Walsh said was no reason for Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas to further reduce bag limits or the length of the season, particularly when other states have just announced full seasons.
Last year’s duck hunting season saw the season length, start times and daily bag limit all reduced in recognition of lower than average bird numbers and breeding.
RSPCA chief executive officer Dr Liz Walker said there was “clear scientific evidence” that the duck hunting season should not proceed.
“Victorians want to see decisions made on science and evidence that will ultimately stop the unnecessary suffering of Victoria’s ducks,” Dr Walker said.
“Using a wounding rate of 26 per cent and comparing this to the reported total harvest figure of 238,666 from the 2019 season (as the 2020 season was impacted by COVID-19), this would mean that over 62,000 ducks were wounded and not killed outright in the 2019 season.
“The 2021 Aerial Survey of Waterbirds in Eastern Australia reports that game species abundances were well below long-term averages with six out of eight native game species showing significant long-term declines.
“Total waterbird abundance is the third lowest in 39 years.
“In particular, Grey Teal, Australasian Shoveler and Australian Wood Duck numbers have been declining for many years.
“The Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead and Pink-eared Duck abundances have declined since 2020.”
RSPCA Victoria’s recent submission to the (GMA strongly recommended cancelling the 2022 duck hunting season due to inevitable suffering of native ducks; long-term declines in game bird species abundance; climate outlook data and predicted rainfall unlikely to relieve long-term deficits, and; community concern for the welfare of native ducks.
The Victorian Duck Hunters Association was contacted for comment.
