Common sense has prevailed in a win for thousands of duck harvesters throughout Victoria.
A biased and stacked Inquiry which recommended the end of duck harvesting was a sham and the Liberals and Nationals strongly support the practice continuing.
Labor, the Greens and the Animal Justice Party members involved in the Inquiry into Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements based their judgements on ideology alone, ignoring science.
Trained and licenced harvesters have a positive effect on conserving and restoring wetland habitats and an extensive Liberals and Nationals minority report recommended the continuation of bird harvesting in Victoria in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.
After record-high native bird breeding in recent years due to the significant rainfall Victoria has received, the Victorian game duck population increased by almost three-fold.
The 2024 duck season will commence on Wednesday 10 April 2024 and end on Wednesday 5 June 2024, inclusive.
Hunting start times will be delayed to 8:00am for the entire season. With a daily bag limit of six ducks per day, the Blue-winged Shoveler and Hardhead cannot be hunted for the 2024 season due to their threatened status.
“As we have said all along, duck harvesting is sustainable, safe and has huge economic benefits,” Ms Benham said.
“It is not only a source of food, but is also an activity passed through generations which helps with land conservation.
“The government has recognised recreational shooting as a legitimate pursuit.”
Duck harvesting contributes approximately $65 million annually to the economy, which benefits local communities across regional Victoria.
