lirralirra

Firstly, many thanks to everyone who found a moment to contact politicians about the Victorian duck shooting season. Every letter urging a permanent ban on this outrageously cruel and archaic ‘sport’ was heard loud and clear. Never has there been such dissent in the Victorian halls of government about this issue.

Today a Victorian duck shooting season was called, albeit a briefer season, running from the end of April to the end of May. A bag limit of four birds has been set and shooting is not supposed to start until 8am but can be continued until half an hour after sunset. Even the very best birders would have difficulty identifying which ducks are flying in an after-dark flock; and it can be very dark after sunset on overcast days.

Hardhead (above) and Australasian (Blue-winged) Shoveler (below) are not to be shot this year as they have been declared threatened species due to seriously declining numbers. But they will be shot. Every season birds are shot that are not so-called ‘game species’. The list is sickening and includes endangered, threatened, vulnerable and protected species such as Freckled Duck, Musk Duck and Blue-billed Duck. It includes birds that look nothing like ducks, like swans, pelicans, raptors, coots, avocet and grebes. Waterbirds that are protected during every non-season month, but which can be shot during the season, are Pink-eared Ducks, Australian Wood (Maned) Ducks, Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Ducks and Australian Shelduck.

I felt duty-bound to spend time on the wetlands when my youngest daughter joined the Coalition Against Duck Shooting rescuers. I had shamefully (but understandably, I need to be a little kinder to myself here) avoided seeing and hearing peaceful wetlands shattered by the sounds of shotguns, jubilant shooters and distressed birds. Since then I have written many posts about duck shooting, I have been banned from birding pages because I spoke on behalf of our native birds, I have been trolled by shooters (who have become much quieter as the dissenting voices have become louder). And, although this is a sad day for birds and the vast majority of Victorians, it is fantastic that so many bird-lovers and politicians have spoken against duck shooting. A select committee will be established with broad terms of reference and is expected to hand down its final report by 31 August 2023. Keep a watchful eye out as the committee will be seeking information from everyone who cares about this issue.

Happy birding, Kim

PS If you would like more information about duck shooting in Victoria please click on the Season of Shame posts or search above for ‘CADS’, ‘duck shooting’ etc. Thank you for caring.

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