Shooters cleared for duck season

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Shooters cleared for duck season

Duck hunters will be limited to only two mountain ducks per day in the 2025 season.


The open hunting season for five species will open on March 23 and close on June 29.


There will be a total bag limit of six ducks per hunter per day and this is a reduction on the previous limit of eight.


The stubble quail hunting season will run from April 26 until July 27 with a decreased bag limit of 15 quail per hunter per day.


The hunting announcements have generally been welcomed by the Conservation and Hunting Alliance of South Australia.


A CHASA spokesman said the State Government conducted a select committee review of native bird hunting in 2023.


“This was an in-depth review of native bird hunting and followed a robust process which included a cross representation of parliamentarians with numerous public submissions considered concluding native bird hunting has value and should be continued,” the spokesman said.


“CHASA congratulates the Malinauskas State Government for the timely announcement which allows all hunters to plan their season ahead.”


However, the CHSA has expressed its disappointment at the new limits on quail and mountain ducks.


RSPCA SA Animal Welfare Advocate Dr Rebekah Eyers described the announcement of a 2025 duck hunting season in South Australia as irresponsible.


“When the expert advice is to avoid activities like hunting because it stresses wildlife, disperses potentially infected birds and exposes humans to the H5N1 bird flu virus, it makes no sense to take this risk just to appease a tiny minority of people who like shooting at flying birds,” Dr Eyers said.


Duck hunting is banned due to welfare concerns in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.


RSPCA has long opposed duck hunting because the shotgun pellets that recreational hunters fire at flying ducks tend to wound them rather than kill them outright.


After retrieving wounded ducks, the RSPCA claims hunters frequently fail to kill them quickly and humanely.


The Australian Veterinary Association also opposes duck hunting due to its inherent welfare issues.


Firearms legislation and hunting regulations require all duck hunters to meet stringent conditions including passing a waterfowl identification test, using non-toxic shot and complying with the Standards for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting.

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