These are the dead and wounded, protected and game species found on half a
dozen wetlands during this year's 12-week, recreational shooting season,
which concluded June 10.
Field and Game Australia estimates that 500,000 birds were shot in Victoria
(http://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/country-news/victorian-duck-hunting-season
-closed-1.51131). This is based on their survey of members, post-season,
conducted last year.
It's been estimated that one in four birds shot is wounded, not killed (US
ballistics expert, Tom Roster). The (then) Department of Sustainability and
Environment, which administered duck hunting, accepted this figure.
So it's reasonable to estimate around 100,000 birds were wounded this year,
and that all suffered inhumane, slow death. On grounds of this cruelty
alone, duck shooting should be banned.
Retrieving a wild bird in order to get it to a vet is difficult; the work of
duck rescuers in retrieving 110 is remarkable. (Good news about this
shortly.)
If you think Victoria can spare half a million birds, including hundreds of
Freckled Ducks and other protected species, then I'm afraid I think you're
wrong. Hopefully, one day, the birding community will be a powerful voice in
the campaign to end duck shooting. In the meantime, your support on on
Birding-aus has been much appreciated.
Photos: m("N04/","//www.flickr.com/photos/94330342");">http:
DEAD PROTECTED SPECIES (TOTAL 394)
(Notable species or numbers in capital letters.)
25 BLACK SWANS
1 Black-fronted Dotterel
1 Black-tailed Native-hen
1 Black-winged Stilt
5 Blue-billed Ducks
1 Darter
4 Dusky Moorhens
223 EURASIAN COOTS
107 FRECKLED DUCKS
5 Hoary-headed Grebes
3 Little Black Cormorants
1 Little Pied Cormorant
1 Long-billed Corella
2 Musk Ducks
1 Raven (unidentified)
11 Red-necked Avocets
1 Whistling Kite
1 Yellow-billed Spoonbill
DEAD GAME SPECIES (TOTAL 219)
10 Australasian Shovelers
2 Chestnut Teal
68 Grey Teal
8 Hardhead
4 Pacific Black Ducks
116 Pink-eared Ducks
11 Wood Ducks
WOUNDED BIRDS (TOTAL 110)
1 Black Swan
3 Black-tailed Native-hens
1 Black-winged Stilt
1 Blue-billed Duck
3 Australasian Shovelers
1 Chestnut Teal
51 Eurasian Coot
4 FRECKLED DUCK
4 Grey Teal
2 Hardhead
1 Pacific Black Duck
33 PINK-EARED DUCKS
1 Raven (unidentified)
2 Red-necked Avocets
2 Wood Ducks
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