http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/duck-numbers-static/2005/12/26/1135445526877.html
"Report flies in face of duck hunters
A REPORT on the viability of duck hunting prepared for the State Government
shows that waterbird numbers are at similar levels to past years when a ban
was put on shooting.
Report author, waterbird expert Richard Kingsford, says he believes there
has been little improvement in breeding.
According to an aerial survey, which gives a rough indication of numbers,
about 200,000 waterbirds live in eastern Australia. This figure is roughly
the same as in 2003 when duck season was banned, but slightly up on last
year when there was a larger wetland area.
Dr Kingsford also found:
: Cumulative impacts of drought are still affecting wetlands and rivers in
eastern Australia.
:Wetland area was the second lowest ever recorded, with few wetland areas
holding water.
: While breeding did increase in the last year, two non-game species of ibis
dominated 98 per cent of that increase.
The State Government has announced that a full 12-week duck hunting season
will start in March with seven ducks allowed per hunter. Last year's limit
was five ducks.
Dr Kingsford's report showed that wetlands in southern NSW and north-west
Victoria were healthier than elsewhere in eastern Australia.
The chief executive of conservation group Birds Australia, Dr Graeme
Hamilton, said that would entice more birds south from NSW and Queensland
where duck season is banned.
"Whatever water fowl are around will seek refuge in northern Victoria and
southern NSW and will be hunted," he said.
He said Dr Kingsford's report should give the Government "serious
reservations" about allowing the 2006 season."
Rgds,
Karen Pearson
The 2006 duck shooting season starts on Saturday 18th March and runs for 12
weeks until 12th June 2006.
What a shame :-(
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