Media release – joint organisations, 7 March 2025
Activists Call for End to Duck Shooting in Tasmania!
Animals Tasmania (AT) and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust (TCT) condemn the Government’s decision to hold yet another duck shooting season in 2025. The Government continues to ignore community support for protection of native waterbirds in Tasmania.
AT spokesperson Chris Simcox asked: “Why is Tasmania holding a recreational duck shooting season when other states have long since banned the practice? Bans have been introduced in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. A recent Parliamentary Inquiry recommended an end to duck shooting in Victoria. Duck shooting is out of step with public sentiment and most people would happily see an end to this brutally violent activity in Tasmania.”
Tasmania is a known sanctuary for much of eastern Australia, such that when conditions are dry on the mainland, birds travel south to seek water and suitable habitat. Allowing shooting in Tasmania puts added stress on waterbirds doing their best to survive in difficult conditions that include declining habitat.
TCT CEO Peter McGlone said: “Wounding has been documented as a serious concern. Shotguns send out a spray of pellets that, when aimed at a passing flock of ducks, guarantees multiple ducks will be hit by pellets. One duck may be fatally struck and fall from the sky, while others may deviate on their flight path as a result of being hit. Many of these wounded ducks will suffer infection and other complications and suffer a drawn out death. This is wholly unacceptable and a compelling reason to end duck shooting.”
Mr Simcox concluded: “The only hope for native waterbirds in Tasmania during the upcoming open season is for passionate duck rescuers to head to the wetlands and give the ducks a fighting chance. If you’re concerned like we are, please join us to help save native ducks!”
Recreational shooting of wild ducks in Tasmania – Fact sheet
The season: Recreational shooting of wild ducks is allowed in Tasmania typically for a three-month season during autumn, for those holding an annually issued duck shooting licence. The 2025 season will be from Saturday 8 March to 9 June 2025 with shooting permitted from one hour prior to sunrise until one hour after sunset.
The duck species and ‘take’: Five species of native ducks are permitted to be shot: Pacific black duck, grey teal, chestnut teal, mountain duck and wood duck. Each licence holder is permitted to kill and bag ten wild ducks per day.
Each year between 35,000 to 45,000 ducks are killed under recreational licences.
Ducks may only be shot with a shot gun not greater than 12 gauge.
Duck shooting locations: Duck shooting is permitted on six Hydro Tasmania lakes and creeks and eleven reserves including wetlands of international significance e.g. Moulting Lagoon and Lake Crescent, as well as numerous wetlands on private land.
Interstate bans and the campaign to ban ducks in Tasmania: Recreational duck shooting was banned in Western Australia in 1990, New south Wales in 1995 and Queensland in 2005. Since 1990 protests have been held each year in in Tasmania, at Moulting Lagoon, coinciding with the opening of the season.
Protesters call for a ban on recreational shooting of wild ducks across Tasmania.
The reasons for banning duck shooting: The primary reason for demanding an end to recreational shooting of native ducks is that the use of shotguns is inherently cruel, causing a large proportion of ducks to be injured and to die a slow agonising death. It can no longer be justified as providing food (the tradition is continued as a so-called ‘sport’).
False claims of benefits: While duck shooters claim they perform an important service for farmers, there is little evidence that recreational shooting targets areas where farmers report problems. Shooters are known to shoot in favoured locations and not where farmers would prefer. Also, problems experienced by farmers are often over-stated as justification for shooting.
– Peter McGlone, Tasmanian Conservation Trust
