Duck Shooting

Duck shooting is a cruel and barbaric sport that subjects thousands of birds each year to a horrific and prolonged death.

Despite three state Labor governments in Australia having banned the recreational shooting of native waterbirds, (Western Australia 1990, NSW in 1995 and Queensland in 2005), hunters are still able to participate in this barbaric sport in the state of Victoria. Both New South Wales and Queensland issued bans in response to advice from their Animal Welfare Advisory Committees (AWAC), however despite the Victorian AWAC repeatedly issuing the same advice; these recommendations have fallen on deaf ears.

Long-term low rainfall has severely reduced the size of many of Victoria's wetlands. Moratoriums on duck shooting were called by the Victorian Government in 2007 and 2008 in response to the unsustainable numbers of waterbirds and drought conditions. Even though environmental conditions and bird numbers remain severely affected, duck shooting seasons went ahead in Victoria in 2009 and 2010.

Duck shooting is unnecessary and causes senseless cruelty. The Victorian State Government must follow its contemporaries and issue a state-wide ban. This would reflect community consensus with more than 87% of Victorians supporting a ban*.

* Roy Morgan Research poll, October 2007

---

How you can help

• Ask your prospective representatives how they would address these animal welfare issues. Find your local MP or candidate here.
• Sign the RSPCA's petition to stop duck shooting. This petition will be put forward to the State Government by the RSPCA in late 2010.
• Contact the Victorian Premier John Brumby to voice your opposition to duck shooting.
• Contact the Minister for Sustainability and Environment Gavin Jennings to voice your opposition to duck shooting.
• Write to your local MP to encourage them to incorporate and prioritise a policy that supports a ban on duck shooting.
• If duck shooting occurs in your area, write to your local council asking them to support a ban.