Duck season starts with safety reminder

THE duck season has started, and everyone involved has been reminded to act safely, responsibly and legally.
Game Management Authority (GMA) chief executive officer Greg Hyams has encouraged hunters to act responsibly, observe all relevant laws and take the time to educate new and junior hunters.
“Hunters must be licensed, use non-toxic shot, adhere to bag limits and hunt only at those the times of the day when hunting is allowed.
“There are heavy penalties for failing to comply with the state’s hunting laws. For those hunters who choose to break the law, penalties could include fines, forfeiture of equipment used in the commission of an offence, conviction and the loss of game and firearms licences.”
The GMA cancelled the game licences of five hunters between June and December.
Mr Hyams said the dry conditions would see hunting efforts this year change from traditional wetlands to creeks and waterways.
“Hunters must respect private property and use firearms safely as it is a serious offence to discharge a firearm on or across private property without the land owner’s consent.”
He said authorised officers and Victoria Police would be active throughout the state to ensure hunters and protestors acted in a safe and lawful manner.
“While those who oppose duck hunting have a right to protest, they must do so safely and legally.
There are significant penalties should protestors unlawfully enter in, or remain on a specified hunting area, or obstruct, interfere with, hinder or harass hunters.”
Everyone should also be mindful of the recent blue-green algae outbreak along the Murray Valley, as coming into contact with or ingesting blue-green algae can pose significant health risks to humans and dogs.
For more information, head to emergency. vic.gov.au/bluegreenalgae, and to read the 2016 Victorian Hunting Guide or watch the Duck WISE video, head to gma.vic.gov.au.