PERHAPS one of the more emotive pastimes that takes place each year is the opening of the duck hunting season and the conflict that arises between hunters, environmentalists and animal liberationists.
This year, the State Government has once more cut back the number of days hunters are able to shoot, and a bag limit has been set at two per day.
Game Management Victoria (GMA) has issued the limits due to lower-than-average bird and breeding numbers.
The 2021 season will start on Wednesday, May 26 and will last 20 days, closing on Monday, June 14. Hunting start times will also be delayed until 8:00am for the first five days of the season.
Hunters will be prohibited from hunting the Blue-winged Shoveler across Victoria, and both the Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal in most of the state including Shepparton.
The GMA and partner agencies, including Victoria Police, will be patrolling both public lands and private properties to ensure compliance with hunting, animal welfare and public safety laws.
As in previous years, the GMA will continue to monitor conditions in the lead up to and during the season. Where warranted, wetlands may be closed to hunting to protect concentrations of rare threatened species.
The ducks hiding out on my dams away from major wetlands all believe they are protected species. All licensed hunters must pass a Waterfowl Identification Test before being permitted to hunt ducks. Details of the 2021 duck season, including any wetland closures, will be regularly updated on the GMA website www.gma.vic.gov.au.
