Gerald Lynch
Duck hunting is set to stay for another season following the state government’s decision to reject parliament’s inquiry into Victoria’s recreational native bird hunting arrangements, in a big win for hunters.
Lee McCheyene, a 50-year-old Greenvale resident, has been hunting for 38 years, and said people have the wrong idea about duck hunting.
“The sad thing about it is people uneducated about hunting think it’s all about the killing,” he said.
“Obviously it is part of it, but we get so much out of it, it is great for my mental health.
“I take my son and my father out, so three generations involved just getting out and enjoying the outdoors.
“In regards to ducks, there’s plenty around. We follow the signs and abide by all the rules, if there wasn’t an ample amount of ducks during the season and the government made a decision to ban hunting of course we’d understand, but we’re not doing anything wrong.”
Northern Metropolitan MP Evan Mulholland hosted a forum in October in support of duck hunting, and he said the decision is the right one.
“I am pleased the government has recognised recreational hunting as a legitimate pursuit, to be continued into the future,” he said.
“I was a member of the select committee into Native Bird Hunting, and was an author of our dissenting report supporting duck hunting into the future.
“I came into being a participant in this Committee not knowing much about duck hunting, but having seen the science, the nature of hunters, the conservation efforts… I have gained a lot of respect and sympathy for this great recreational activity and the people involved.”
Northern Victoria MP and Animal Justice Party member Georgie Purcell has been outspoken on the issue.
Ms Purcell said the state government has ignored the key recommendation of its own inquiry and report, along with decades of campaigning and insurmountable and undeniable evidence.
“The government has ignored decades long evidence of native species decline in favour of something they described today as a ‘hobby’,” she said.
“Not only that they have upped the duck kill by two birds a day, and extended the season by a month on last year, with the evidence in hand that this is guaranteed to drive up the wounding rate.
“These changes acknowledge there are clear problems, yet they are letting a season proceed without them even in place.“
Outdoor Recreation Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the 2024 duck season will start on April 10 and end on June 5.
“Duck hunting is a legitimate activity- but more than that, it supports regional communities and economies,” he said.
“Our position has not changed and we’re supporting recreational duck and quail hunting to continue in a safe, sustainable and responsible way with minimal harm to our environment.”
