Duck Hunting
Hunting animals is not a sport. Killing animals should not be treated as a sport or recreational pastime.
Did you know that for every 10 ducks bagged, 6 are crippled?
Unfortunately, there are four states in Australia that still allow duck hunting, despite strong evidence of the extreme suffering involved. The RSPCA opposes the recreational hunting of ducks because of the high level of cruelty. Every year, during the government-declared 'open season' many thousands of ducks are shot over the wetlands of Australia in the name of this ‘sport'. Some of these ducks will be killed outright. Some will be wounded, brought down and killed on retrieval. Many others will be crippled or wounded and will die within a few hours or days. Some will suffer prolonged pain before they die.
More about the RSPCA's view on duck hunting?
Where is it legal?
Recreational duck hunting is permitted in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the Northern Territory. Only in the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia is it illegal to hunt ducks for sport. In some of these states, ducks can be shot under licence when they are thought to be causing damage to crops, dams or waterways. This is despite evidence that ducks play a valuable role in controlling invertebrate pests such as snails.
How you can help
Please support the RSPCA's call for a national ban on recreational duck hunting.
- If you're in Victoria email Premier John Brumby
- If you're in Tasmania email Primary Industries Minister David Lewellyn
- If you're in the Northern Territory email Parks and Wildlife Minister Alison Anderson
- If youre in South Australia email Environment and Conservation Minister Jay Weatherill
