Victorian 2021 duck hunting season shortened

The Victorian Game Management Authority has just announced that the Victorian 2021 duck hunting season will start on 26^th May and run for 20 days. Shooters are limited to two ducks per day.

More than 60,000 ducks were killed in Victoria last year, during a season that was shortened due to dry conditions, bushfires and low population numbers. During the 2019 season, the RSPCA estimated that more than 62,000 ducks and other non-game birds were wounded and not killed outright.

This year, shooters in Victoria are prohibited from killing the Blue-winged Shoveler anywhere in the state. They also are prohibited from hunting Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal north of the Princes Freeway/highway. Grey Teal numbers are low in these areas but are higher in the coastal wetland areas. Female Chestnut Teal look very similar to Grey Teal.

Recreational duck hunting is permitted in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory and is banned in NSW, Queensland and WA.

All hunters are required to pass a Waterfowl Identification Test before obtaining a Game Licence to hunt ducks in Victoria (LINK).

The Victorian Nationals are currently conducting an on-line petition to “…to urge the Minister to stand with Victoria’s legitimate, law-abiding hunters against the lies and declare a full duck hunting season in 2021.” (LINK)

‘Sporting Shooter’ (LINK), calls a recent ABC News article (LINK). fake news.