Australia's peak veterinary body has joined mounting calls for the Victorian Government to outlaw recreational duck hunting in line with other states and territories.
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has updated its policy on duck hunting which opposes the use of shotguns as they cause unnecessary pain and suffering to the animals.
Duck hunting is banned in the ACT, NSW, Queensland and Western Australia – but Victoria has an 'open season' where some species of ducks and other waterfowl are permitted to be shot for sport.
A study in Victoria reported that up to 33 per cent of hunted birds were wounded in shooting, but not retrieved – resulting in crippling injuries such as wing, bill and leg fractures.
The call comes amid growing political pressure on the Andrews Government to take action on the matter.
AVA President, Dr Bronwyn Orr, said the practice is inhumane and results in many animals being critically injured and left to die in the wild.
"As veterinarians, our goal is to protect the health and welfare of animals," Dr Orr said.
"Hunting ducks with shotguns often results in non-fatal injuries, where the birds are hit with the outer cluster of pellets, but not retrieved.
"This results in an ethical animal-welfare problem, as the bird may live for a number of weeks with a crippling injury, receiving no veterinary treatment.
"We are calling on the Government to take swift action and follow the suite of other states and territories that have banned duck hunting altogether."
The AVA is the peak veterinary body providing a united voice for the profession for more than 100 years.
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