RE the article “Big tick for hunters” (Gannawarra Times, June 25).
The article states “the majority of duck hunters acted ‘safely and responsibly’ … according to the recreational sport’s regulator”.
It’s very questionable the Game Management Authority’s issuing of fines, catching illegal behaviour by duck shooters and non-compliance by the latter as well.
They state they had “conducted 511 waterway and wetland patrols on private and public land across Victoria, including in the Gannawarra Shire”.
There are some 20,000 wetlands Victoria wide with thousands of birds unaccounted for left to die a slow death by wounding, not to mention other illegal behaviour by duck shooters out of sight, out of mind. What is the GMA’s response to this?
There is no mention anywhere at all of unburied human waste, illegally chopped river red gums for firewood, damaged Aboriginal middens, cooking pits and burial grounds, uncollected shotgun shells nor the extreme stress this vile activity puts upon those who live near waterways where duck shooters go to.
Where were the GMA when all these examples occurred?
People in regional Victoria have had an utter gutful of duck shooters illegally crossing their land to get to waterways in order to flush up and shoot ducks.
What is the stance by the GMA on animals terrified and traumatised by gunfire and the real concerns voiced by people of hearing pellets raining on their roofs?
Members of the public cannot visit RAMSAR-listed wetlands and other wetlands where designated duck shooting takes place because of the dangerous behaviours exhibited by duck shooters.
GMA chief executive Graeme Ford quoted: “Whilst those who oppose duck hunting have a right to protest, they must do so safely and legally.”
Rescuers believe that duck shooting is morally and ethically reprehensibly cruel and outdated.
Rescuers loathe the need to go out and document cruelty, but if it wasn’t for these people the illegal behaviour and scale of cruelty demonstrated by duck shooters would be far far worse.
I would like to see the GMA breathalyse duck shooters before they go out onto the water.
I have seen, all too often, inebriated duck shooters in charge of a deadly weapon clearly not fit to shoot.
Rescuers will continue to document this revolting “recreation” as long as it continues in Victoria.
Mr Ford further states: “Public safety laws are in place to provide a safe environment for all land users”.
This is nothing more than revenue-raising nonsense put there simply to try to deter rescuers going onto duck shooting specified wetlands.
Rescuers wouldn’t need to go out at all if this vile activity was abolished in this state for good.
Kate Bossence,
Kerang
