Alliance Formed to End Duck Hunting

Media release – Animals Tasmania, Animal Justice Party Tasmania, RSPCA Tasmania, Tasmanian Greens, 27 February 2024

Alliance Formed to Protect Native Ducks in Tasmania

In the first week of March, the annual duck shooting season will once again start in Tasmania.

For twelve weeks, Tasmania’s wetlands will be transformed into killing fields, as native ducks are blasted out of the skies in the name of ‘sport’. The targets include five species of ducks, several of which mate for life. Non-target as well as targeted birds will be wounded and die a painful and lingering death.

Several prominent organisations whose collective aim is to see an end to the recreational shooting of native ducks in Tasmania. Animals Tasmania, Animal Justice Party Tasmania, RSPCA Tasmania, and Tasmanian Greens are combining their efforts to bring an end to the senseless killing of Tasmanian native waterbirds.

“Duck shooting has already been banned in other states,” said Animals Tasmania spokesperson Chris Simcox. “We feel the close of this chapter is long overdue in Tasmania. It’s time our government took the lead from Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland who have already banned recreational duck shooting.”

“We need Tasmanian politicians to take this issue seriously,” said Karen Bevis, Convenor of the Animal Justice Party in Tasmania, “The majority of Tasmanians are not in favour of the killing of native ducks. It is time to legislate this practice into the history books.”

“Hunting is not a sport. With sport, both sides know they’re in the game, and are fairly matched,” Jan Davis, RSPCA Chief Advocate, said, “There are serious animal welfare issues associated with recreational duck shooting that can’t be mitigated – and it is time for this cruel slaughter to stop.”

This alliance is committed to bringing an end to the suffering inflicted upon defenceless waterbirds in the name of a ‘sport’ that the majority of caring Tasmanians oppose and abhor.