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Open season on ducks has opponents crying foul
TIM DORNIN
27/03/2009 4:40:00 PM
The duck hunt is back on in South Australia, and the Greens and animal welfare groups are crying foul.

After being banned because of sparse duck populations in 2007 and 2008, the State Government has approved a two-month hunt from Saturday, with shooters limited to four birds each per day.

The Government says recent surveys have indicated duck numbers have recovered sufficiently to allow a sustainable season.

But the RSPCA wants the Government to follow the lead of NSW, Queensland and Western Australia and ban the hunt, while the Greens will move a bill in state parliament to stop future seasons.

Duck hunter Garry Matthews went shooting in Victoria last weekend, where the hunt opened a week earlier, and plans to head to Loxton in the South Australian Riverland this weekend.

He said hunting for him was not just about harvesting and preparing his own meat in a sustainable manner, but also a lifestyle issue.

"I get to meet up with my mates and relax around the campfire and to get out in the countryside," he said.

"It's a lot more encompassing than just the hunting side of it.

"It's part lifestyle, it's part activity, it's part relaxation."

However, the RSPCA said duck hunting was inhumane as thousands of ducks were wounded and left to die.

"Some ducks are brought down and killed by the hunter on retrieval, usually by wringing the neck," the society said.

"Others are crippled and these may die within hours, days or weeks of being shot.

"Other ducks will be wounded but will fly on."

Mr Matthews said it was the responsibility of each hunter to make sure they took their game in a responsible manner.

"To make sure the birds are dispatched on the first shot and, if not, as soon as practicable afterward," he said.

For that reason he generally hunted with others, including colleagues who had dogs to help ensure all wounded birds were found.

Under this year's tight restrictions, hunters will be allowed to take only five species: the grey teal, chestnut teal, pink-eared duck, hardhead and the wood duck.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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