IN relation to the story in last week’s Gannawarra Times (Sides open fire, February 28), Field and Game Australia are constantly stating that duck shooters show exemplary behaviour when out on the wetlands.
They stated in the above mentioned article: “… it was disappointed the government choose to ignore the science and reduced the season length and bag limits”.
What FGA fail to mention is the completely unacceptable behaviour of duck shooters not only towards the birds they wound and kill but the impact duck shooting has on regional Victorians.
Regional Victorians are again to be subjected to days of sleepless nights, hearing and seeing camouflaged and armed people going through their properties; the risk of families with children being peppered with pellets from shotguns; anxiety; PTSD; depression and hypervigilance caused by duck shooters who “uphold their tradition and right to hunt animals”.
Peter Walsh of the National Party prides himself on looking after rural-based people. I find this deeply offensive as (I am sure) he is clearly aware of rural people affected by duck shooters and their unacceptable behaviour every year a season is declared.
If he truly cared, he would ask people living near waterways what impact duck shooting has on their mental health, families and animals.
The same applies to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. The Premier needs to come to Kerang and see for himself the impact duck shooting has on regional Victorians.
Whether Field and Game Australia like it or not, the truth of the matter is the fact that waterbird numbers are on the decline both through recreational duck shooting and climate change.
Their breathtaking arrogance in stating their “right to hunt” does not inspire any confidence that there are not those of their ilk who don’t continue to (quite openly) display acts of the utmost cruelty to sentient beings.
Until this reprehensible activity is banned for good in Daniel Andrews’ so called “progressive state”, this disgusting activity will continue to impact not just those in the city who want it banned for good but particularly to regional Victorians who see and hear this on their doorsteps.
Kate Bossence
Kerang
