Activists ‘aim for court ban’

Erin Pearson
ANIMAL welfare activists have targeted three waterways east of Geelong with a court battle to stop duck hunting.
Coalition Against Duck Shooting’s Laurie Levy said the group was preparing its case to force hunters away from Reedy Lake, Hospital Swamp and Lake Connewarre.
The coalition’s lawyers would present the case to court “well ahead” of this year’s duck season from March 19 to June 13, he said.
The plan for the court case follows animal welfare activists slamming State Government for reinstating a 12-week duck season this year.
Mr Levy believed the three waterways, all part of Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve, near Leopold, “must be protected” as home to some of Australia’s most endangered birds.
“Brolgas, magpie geese, bitterns, little bitterns and the freckled duck are all often mistaken and get illegally shot,” he said.
“The wetland is also the feeding ground for the orange bellied parrot.”
Mr Levy said the Government was unable to conduct “proper policing” of Victoria’s 15,000 wetlands during duck season with only 15 wildlife compliance officers.
Geelong Field Naturalists Club’s Trevor Pescott accused duck hunting of a “strong level of cruelty”.
“It’s a devastating thing to watch,” he said.
Geelong Gun and Rod Association’s president dismissed allegations of “shooter ignorance”.
Mick Veitch said the association had worked “long and hard” to ensure duck hunting continued.
“When breeding isn’t good we agree with a shorter season but now we’ve had a bumper breeding season we congratulate the minister’s decision to give us a full 12 weeks.”
Mr Veitch said licensed shooters had to to undergo a duck identification test before participating in the season.
He called for calm ahead of the 2011 season.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a tree hugger or a duck hunter, we should band together,” he said.
“The days of yelling and screaming at each other are over. We need to work together – we’re all Australians.”
Department of Sustainability and Environment approved the 12-week season citing “increased habitat” after significant rain in the past 12 months.