SSAA Victoria is surprised after the Game Management Authority (GMA) published a media release condemning hunter behaviour at Saturday’s duck opening. This release comes after the department issued a statement on Saturday afternoon praising hunter behaviour.
In the release, a spokesperson said, “A high level of compliance was observed across the State by more than 150 staff from across government agencies, including the GMA, Victoria Police, Parks Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water, Planning and the Department of Economic Development, Jobs and Transport … The vast majority of hunters did the right thing today by acting safely, responsibly and in accordance with the law … A total of eight hunting infringement for minor offences … have been issued.”
But today’s release by Greg Hyams, CEO of GMA, uses language and tone that casts doubts over all hunters, not just those acting illegally, unethically and in conflict with the interests of the vast majority.
The release states: “Birds were left in the water, including significant numbers of protected species, such as threatened Freckled and Blue-billed Ducks. Several hunters also commenced shooting up to half an hour before the season opened.” In addition to illegal behaviour, Mr Hyams said many hunters were behaving unethically or irresponsibly. “Hunters have been taking excessively long shots well outside of their shooting skills distance, resulting in wounding and lost birds. Some made no attempt to recover downed birds and kept shooting.”
It seems more information has come to light since the first statement was released. SSAA Victoria has an excellent working relationship with GMA, and supports the current legislation and ethical frameworks in place. It’s why we are disappointed in the turn of events today.
SSAA joins GMA in condemning illegal and unethical behaviour by any hunters and it takes this very seriously. However, the tone of this particular release paints a completely negative picture of the tens of thousands of duck hunters who do behave responsibly, ethically and legally.
We call on the State Government to adequately fund the GMA to ensure it can do its job and hold to account those who do the wrong thing. Hunters have long called for greater enforcement activities targeting illegal behaviour in all areas of hunting. In light of what looks like an inability to fully enforce the law and clean up illegal activity, it is seems easier to vilify all hunters and blame them for the problem.
However let’s not condemn the thousands of responsible hunters who do the right thing because of the actions of the few who do not.
SSAA Victoria also calls on members to report illegal activities by hunters online or calling Crimestoppers.
