THE duck shooter supporters seem to be dodging around a lot of the issues that the majority of the population, in particular regional residents, have with the activity.
Can they please explain how duck shooting is not deterring other non-shooting visitors, including the growing numbers of bird watchers, to enjoy the same regional wetlands or at least advise which waterways they should avoid for their safety?
Can they advise how the gun shots are not going to scare livestock, pets, children, shift workers, veteran PTSD sufferers and people who work from home?
Can they tell us how the activity is going to be monitored to prevent illegal acts given it takes place over such a large area, and there is no follow up when illegal activities are reported?
Can they guarantee shooting a bird is not going to cause a vast percentage of them to suffer and not be killed outright?
Can they assure us that given the data showing rapidly declining number of game birds that the species is not going to die out?
Can they show us their safety risk assessment for discharging firearms in public places and adjacent to private properties?
Can they explain why the activity has already been banned in other states and how come those regional areas have not suffered economic loss?
Can they commit to continuing their environmental preservation works when duck shooting is banned?
Liz Filmer
Sale, Victoria
