BirdLife Tasmania has described the annual harvest of wild duck species in Tasmania as
“indefensible”, and has reaffirmed its opposition to the shooting of wild ducks
This year’s three month hunting season starts on 11 March. The Convenor of BirdLife Tasmania,
Dr Eric Woehler, stated that there are very good reasons for the permanent ban of wild duck
hunting in Tasmania.
“Duck species are facing increasing pressures in the wild throughout Australia, including
permanent loss wetlands and the increased variability of the remaining wetland due to changing
weather patterns and climate change”.
“Duck numbers vary according to conditions here and on the mainland, with Tasmania a refuge
for mainland birds during periods of drought in Southeast Australia”, he said.
Waterfowl move throughout Southeast Australia as water bodies dry, searching for more reliable
and predictable wetland areas, often flying across Bass Strait to Tasmania.
“This influx of mainland birds creates the false illusion of high numbers of waterfowl in Tasmania,
which are used by hunters and the State Government to justify the harvest.”
BirdLife Tasmania calls on the State Government to cancel the Tasmanian hunting season in
recognition of the lc role Tasmania plays in providing a refuge to mainland waterfowl.
BirdLife Tasmania also has concerns about animal welfare issues associated with duck hunting,
and with the potential taking of illegal duck species.
“Over the years wild duck hunting has changed from being an important means of providing food
to the community, to where it now being simply a destructive and indefensible recreational
hobby”.
“The Tasmania Government is well overdue in joining with other Australian states in permanently
banning the recreational killing of its wildlife,” Dr Woehler said.
BirdLife Tasmania convenor Eric Woehler
