As l have stated many times over many years, it is well and truly time to pull the pin on recreational duck shooting for good in Victoria and encourage nature-based tourism instead.
Victorians – both regional and those who live in the city – are completely fed up with this prolonged and protracted fight in pushing for a ban.
It comes as no surprise that the draft Victorian Hunting Regulations do not include submissions by those who oppose this vile activity.
Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting have brought up some very valid points stating “it hoped to see the interests of non-hunters reflected in the regulations”.
It is patently clear this is a clause only in the interests of duck shooters and those who hunt.
Furthermore RVODS states: “We’d like to see hunting groups fund their own pursuits … “ also stating that the government “… promote other outdoor activities instead which are safer, more popular and financially beneficial …”
For small regional towns such as Kerang, Boort and Cohuna, this would be very financially welcome and (furthermore) ethical money for these towns to continue to thrive particularly as Kerang has the most beautiful wetlands in Victoria.
They are a perfect haven for wildlife and fauna to be appreciated by nature lovers and tourists alike.
I believe it is a dangerous precedent by the Victorian Hunting Regulators to allow shooters to enter people’s waterfront properties and put both people and domestic animals at great risk.
Indeed RVODS states: “lt ignores key recommendations and findings of the recent parliamentary enquiry to do with hunter training … reduction in public areas for hunting”.
Time and time again, the behaviour of duck shooters has demonstrated how unstable they are whilst in possession of a deadly weapon, yet shooters are crying foul that they are not being listened to or given enough leeway.
There is a complete failure to protect those who live near waterways to say nothing of the damage, cruelty and waste duck shooters leave behind. This is both on state game reserves, crown land and private properties.
The only way the debate on duck shooting can cease is if a progressive and compassionate government step up and end this brutality for good.
Duck shooting is what the hunting of whales is in that “harvest” numbers killed at the end of each season are for “scientific evidence and data analysis”.
Like the killing of whales, the lies and deceit concerning duck shooting such as “bird counts and data analysis as scientifically-based” is nothing more than a smoke screen by those desperate enough who wish to indulge themselves in a vile and disgusting past time.
Kate Bossence,
Kerang
