wildlife tasmania

INTERSTATE DUCK-SHOOTERS SHOULD STAY OUT OF TASMANIA

Duck-shooters planning to come to Tasmania for the open season are advised they are unwelcome. Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania (AACT), the Tasmanian Conservation Trust (TCT), the RSPCA and Wildlife Tasmania want interstate shooters to stay away, saying there is already too much pressure on native waterbirds. Due to bans in every other State, many shooters appear poised to invade Tasmanian wetlands.

"A large influx of shooters from Victoria and other States will cause a massive problem for native ducks in Tasmania that are already stressed due to the drought." said Christian Bell of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust, "The shooters are predicting up to 300 interstate visitors, adding to approximately 900 Tasmanian shooters. This amounts to an increase of 33 percent on past years, and poses an unacceptable risk to native waterbirds."

Shooters have been trying hard to improve their image in order to gain public support. They are concerned about being regarded as "barbaric, cruel and reckless", and with good reason (Mercury 6 January, 2008).

"Peter Darke of Field and Game has been very clear in saying that interstate shooters should keep out of Tasmania." declared Chris Simcox of Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania, "He revealed what we have always believed true of these interstate visitors - many are unruly and poorly behaved. We don't want them here, Tasmanian shooters don't want them here, and the native ducks certainly do not want them here.

We have seen and heard the behaviour that Peter Darke is talking about. Abusive and aggressive language is what many of these people appear to understand best. Shooters from interstate seem to care little about damaging habitat or causing a disturbance to others. They are doing everything possible to cement the impression that shooters are 'bloodthirsty monsters'."

"Duck-shooters, whether from here or interstate, will likely kill a large proportion of adult birds." announced Peter Power of Wildlife Tasmania, "Studies in Victoria show that in recent years around 85 percent of native ducks shot were adults. This loss of breeding birds will further deplete the gene pool, and diminish chances of recovery when conditions improve. With more shooters in the State during the open season, we can expect to see the situation worsen."

In the interest of conserving native waterbirds, given that an open season in Tasmania will attract many interstate shooters, the Minister must cancel the 2008 season.

For more information contact:

Chris Simcox, Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania, Ph: 0429 015 110

Christian Bell, Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Ph: 6234 3552

Peter Power, Wildlife Tasmania Ph: 0417 017 105

Rick Butler, RSPCA,