web links and documents
On February 4, 2009, the Victorian Government announced there would be a 2009 duck hunting season. The media release was issued by Gavin Jennings, the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.The full text of the release can be found at http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/minister-for-environment-climate-change/most-restricted-victorian-duck-season-ever.html
It stresses that this will be the shortest duck hunting season on record.
The Victorian Coalition Against Duck Shooting's Internet site can be found at http://www.duck.org.au/ The opening page of the site currently contains the organisation's media release in response to the Victorian Government's announcement that there would be a 2009 duck season. The release is highly critical of the decision and gives a number of reasons as to why it is inappropriate.
The Royal Australian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has conducted a long-term campaign against duck shooting. The section of the site in which they outline the Society's arguments against duck hunting can be found at http://rspca.org.au/campaign/duck.asp
The RSPCA's specific response to the Victorian Government's decision can be found at http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/campaigns_duck_hunting.htm
The Sporting Shooters Association of Victoria's magazine the Victorian Shooter has a regular section where issues associated with hunting and conservation are discussed. The most recent issue of this magazine can be found at http://ssaavic.com.au/Upload/Docs/VicShooter/Vic%20Shooter%20December%20Edition%20for%20web.pdf
The Victorian Field and Game Association (FGA) was established in 1958. The name comes from "field sportsmen" and "game management' abbreviated to "Field and Game'. Field and Game was formed by hunters who were concerned at the loss of wetland habitat for game birds.
The FGA's Internet page can be found at http://www.fga.net.au/www/251/1001127/displayarticle/about-fga--1001262.html
The the section of the FGA's site dealing with hunting can be found at http://www.fga.net.au/www/251/1001127/displayarticle/hunting--1001226.html
An article published in The Weekly Times on February 19, 2009, suggests the impact the Victorian bush fires may have on duck hunters behaviour. The article is titled, 'Fires alter duck hunting mood' and it was written by Ross Williams. The full text of the article can be found at http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/19/53825_shooting.html