REGARDING the article Duck harvest stable (Gannawarra Times, Tuesday, November 7, 2023).
The annual counts that the Game Management Authority conduct are inconclusive and not an accurate record of ducks and quail killed during the Victorian shooting season.
There are some 20,000 waterways in Victoria where duck shooting can take place. It is an impossibility, given GMA staff numbers, that all of these wetlands are included in these counts.
It is quoted that: “Results show an estimated 319,900 game ducks were harvested in 2023. This is in line with the long-term average of 320,000.”
It is completely unacceptable that this vile activity continues well into the 21st Century.
Climate change is the greatest threat to all life on this planet, and duck shooters are exacerbating the demise of waterbirds and quail in their recreation.
This, along with climate change, is exacerbating and impacting bird number more than ever before.
From my observations, most duck shooters come from Melbourne.
The Pink Eared Duck (Australia’s smallest “game bird”) is always the bird that duck shooters simply use for target practice. They shoot them and leave them dead or wounded as they continue to shoot other duck species.
It is further stated: “Of the 21,959 licensed duck hunters, 65 per cent activity hunted in 2023.”
It is encouraging to note that duck shooting numbers are dropping, but discouraging to note that Kerang remains one of the most popular regional areas where duck shooting takes place.
As I have mentioned in previous letters, Kerang has RAMSAR-listed wetlands of international importance.
Birdwatching is now one of the most popular past time amongst those who wish to escape the city and enjoy the Gannawarra Shire, including the many magnificent wetlands of the area.
Whenever duck shooting takes place, it isn’t safe to camp at various wetlands let alone go kayaking or enjoy the natural beauty of these areas. School excursions are also unable to be undertaken during duck shooting season due to the danger of armed men.
School children, therefore, miss out on opportunities to enjoy and appreciate nature and the birds and animals endemic to various wetlands.
It is very much hoped that by 2024 duck shooting in Victoria will be given the boot once and for all and that more people can get out and shoot with a camera instead of a shotgun.
Kerang and surrounds are a gold mine of natural beauty the flora and fauna.
It is high time these assets are enjoyed by current and future generations rather than these wetlands being wildlife war zones to those who kill just for thrills.
Kate Bossence
Kerang
