RSPCA Victoria: Campaigns

Duck Shooting

RSPCA Victoria is appalled that the Brumby State Government has announced a recreational duck shooting season will go ahead in 2010. The RSPCA believes the decision is totally irresponsible and displays a blatant disregard for the welfare of Australian Wildlife.

The season for 2010 will commence this weekend (March 20) and run through to May 30. The government has increased bag limits this year, providing the shooters even more incentive to participate in this barbaric sport.

Three state Labor governments have already banned the recreational shooting of native waterbirds, Western Australia in 1990, NSW in 1995 and Queensland in 2005. NSW and Queensland issued bans in response to advice from their Animal Welfare Advisory Committees. Our own Victorian Animal Welfare Advisory Committees have repeatedly issued the same advice however these recommendations have once again fallen on deaf ears.

The Acting Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Tim Holding claims a restricted 2010 duck hunting season strikes a balance between ensuring sustainable duck numbers and the interests of hunters. The issue of cruelty, with many birds dying a horrific and prolonged death, once again does not seem to have factored.

Considering 87%* of the Victorian community support a ban and would like to see an end to this so called ‘sport’, and the impact of long term low rainfall over the past years having severely reduced the size of many of the State’s wetlands, the continuation of this recreational sport certainly poses questions regarding the moral, ethical and welfare standards set by our State government.

Duck shooting is unnecessary and the cause of senseless cruelty. RSPCA Victoria calls on Victorians to demand a total ban on recreational duck shooting. People can support the RSPCA by contacting Premier Brumby, or the Acting Minister for Environment, The Hon. Tim Holding, and voice your opposition to duck hunting.

The RSPCA is committed to campaigning the Victorian Government to put an end to this legalised cruelty. If you are interested in supporting this campaign to ban Duck Shooting in Victoria, please download our petition. You help in securing supporting signatures from your family, friends and other networks, will play a vital role in our campaign during this election year.

* Roy Morgan Research poll, October 2007

* Read RSPCA's latest media release.

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RSPCA Campaigns | Take Action

Sign our Petition

We need your help to collect 22,000 signatures by August 2010. Show the Victorian Government that this legalised cruelty must be banned now.

Please help us and
DOWNLOAD OUR PETITION
to collect supporting signatures of your family and friends.

Join Our Campaign

Help us by joining our campaign to stop duck shooting.

REGISTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH RSPCA NOW!

Write To

The Hon. John Brumby
Premier of Victoria
Level 1, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 3002
E: Email John Brumby

Alternatively, contact
The Hon. Gavin Jennings
Minister for Environment & Climate Change
Level 22, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3002
T: 03 9096 8830
F: 03 9096 8866
E: Email Gavin Jennings

Vote online

The Victorian Premier's website has a public opinion poll that you can vote on to show your support. Please vote by PROMOTING or THUMPS UP at this website.

Note: The government has changed the rules of voting at this site and you must now register to vote. Please take this extra step as we need to show that the people who support animals out number the very vocal shooting groups.