With regard to the pending announcement of another duck shooting season in Victoria, I would like to make public what this could mean for many regional Victorians and our native birdlife.
During duck shooting season landholders and residents located near wetlands experience a very taxing time on their mental health, wellbeing, and livelihoods.
Some are forced to relocate livestock off their properties as the stock are in danger of being struck by stray pellets and spooked by gunfire which subsequently scares them through fences onto roadways.
Some farmers are forced to pay money to agist stock elsewhere away from the gunfire for the duration of the hunting season. Resident’s pets also may have to be housed elsewhere due to the distress the gunfire causes them.
I am agonised by the gunfire as I brace for the sad and macabre sight of injured and dead birds (including endangered and non-game species) washing up on the foreshore of my property.
During duck shooting season there is always shooting outside of permitted hours. When this is reported to authorities no action is taken. There is trespass on private property which again is reported with no action taken. In several cases the authorities aren’t even aware of the current legislation. If this dangerous and antisocial activity can’t be monitored, managed, and policed effectively how can it be allowed to continue? There is shooting over such a vast area of wetlands across the state that effective monitoring by authorities is impossible.
Along with this, waterbird counts, (that are used to help determine duck shooting bag limits and duration of the season), show an alarming trend of rapidly declining numbers of water birds, yet the shooting continues. Most taxpayers would be disgusted to know how much of their money is being used by our government in an attempt to justify duck shooting.
It is estimated that for every four legally “bagged birds” one is left injured to suffer in the wild.
As a landholder I work hard to conserve the native wildlife and natural habitat that I am fortunate to have on my property. It is disappointing and disheartening to see the results of this work maimed by the selfish, recreational desires of such a small proportion of the population.
I’m begging for someone to listen to and support the regional people who witness firsthand what is happening during duck shooting season.
Elizabeth McCann
Newmerella
