Duck Season Hangs In The Balance Due To Political Games

Duck hunters are calling on the government to make a decision as their hunting season hangs in limbo due to two ministers being unable to reach an agreement.

Science seems to be disregarded in the debate, and once again, the anti guna and anti-hunting movement appear to be at the forefront.

The Herald reported – Victoria’s duck season is in limbo with two Victorian government ministers at odds over whether to let the shooting go ahead in 2020, prompting calls for a decision to be made.

Shooters and Fishers MP Jeff Bourman has hit out at the state government for stalling an announcement on the 2020 season.

He said the two ministers involved in making the decision were “duking it out behind the scenes” and that “it’s an indictment on the whole process”.

His comments come after Field and Game Australia chief executive Dean O’Hara told The Weekly Times the mid-January announcement has been delayed due to the ministers involved not being able to

It is alleged Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has opposed shooting this year but Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes agreed to a modified season after the Game Management Authority recommended a shorter hunt.

Mr Bourman said “they need to get on with it”.

“Whatever we do, we need to have an answer soon because people need to take time off work — including the protesters”.

The matter has been especially contentious this year with Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick calling for an immediate cessation to recreational duck shooting following the bushfires in January, along with the suspension of kangaroo culling.

The Weekly Times revealed late last year that it was hoped the duck season would be revived in 2020 when the GMA released an east Australian 2019 waterbird survey showing numbers were up 8 per cent in 2019.

It had reached 208,364 compared to 192,906 in 2018.

Government spokesman Shaun Phillips would not comment on the alleged ministerial dispute but said an announcement