With one day to go before the shooting of native waterbirds begins in South Australia’s wetlands, a Bill  before parliament is aiming to make this the last year these habitats become killing grounds. 

RSPCA South Australia is supporting the Bill to amend the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 due to the inherent cruelty of duck shooting. The Bill was read for a second time in Parliament on Wednesday. 

Duck shooting results in one in four birds being wounded rather than killed outright. Birds hit with shotgun pellets have been found with broken wings and other fractures, shattered bills, infections and internal injuries that prevent them from feeding or escaping predators. The many birds not retrieved (by hunters  or rescuers) die slow and painful deaths. 

This violent recreational activity is banned in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. 

On 14 December 2021, the State Government announced that there would be a 2021 season, despite growing opposition from people concerned for both the environment and animal welfare.  

The three-month season in South Australia opens tomorrow and ends on 27 June and contrasts to the 20- day season in Victoria.  

When making decisions about duck-hunting seasons, the State Government considers an annual survey conducted by the University of NSW. Since the 1980s, this waterbird survey has found long-term population  decline and diminishing habitat and breeding conditions in SA’s wetlands. The State Government also considers its own Waterfowl Survey Report, and last year’s report found total duck numbers just over a  quarter of their long-term average. (*see table below) 

“Conservationists have been ringing alarm bells for years, but our government doesn’t seem to hear  them,” Dr Eyers says. 

“Three of the five species hunters are permitted to shoot this season are in decline. 

“Aside from these conservation concerns, there’s the unavoidable cruelty. As one of the vets involved in rescuing wounded birds has said, there is no way to humanely shoot a flying animal.  

“Our native ducks are not pests to be controlled and they are not overabundant. 

“To continue allowing them to be shot in the name of recreation whilst turning a blind eye to their suffering and distress is to ignore community views. As our nation laments the scourge of violence in our  culture, the community’s voice to prohibit this violent activity will only grow louder. 

“We need the gunfire to cease once and for all so native waterbirds and their habitats can be treated with  the respect they deserve.” 

*Game Duck Abundance last 10 years (source: DEWR Waterfowl, Environment and Climate conditions and forecast considerations to inform 2021 Duck and Quail Open Seasons setting, Dec 2020) 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.rspcasa.org.au/issues/duck-shooting/