Hunting is tourism and it can happily coexist with other formats as the duck hunting  season is only for a short time of the year.  If you come to the country to live you must realise that hunting is part of our culture and some cities who relocate can’t impose their standards on something that has gone on since man was born because they disagree with it.

Hunters numbers have increased to over 51000 licences in Victoria according to the Game Management Authority so we are not a dying sport but in fact on the increase. And whilst there has been isolated instances of misbehaviour, hunters are better behaved, more aware of targeted species and understand the ramifications of misbehaving and want to continue in their sport. They are prepared to put their money where their mouth is, unlike all these animal do-gooders who whinge and whine but don’t contribute any funding or manpower for further rehabilitation of wetlands or restoration work but criticise the very people who are doing something to improve the environment.

Organisations like Field and Game Australia have spent time, money and effort educating their members on proper protocol and behaviour in swamps and yet animal protestors still break the law by protesting, harassing and stealing hunter’s bag when they shouldn’t be anywhere near them.

Last opening (2018) there were no protected species found by anti-hunting groups and there were over 400,000 ducks shot. This again vindicates hunter behaviour.

The government has announced a season based on the resource available, as to has South Australia, and hunting doesn’t influence the number of ducks but the environment does –  if there was more water there would be more ducks – and hence a reduced bag and shorter season.

Unfortunately there are some towns who will miss out on our patronage this year because they don’t have any water let alone ducks. So Boort, the Koorangie system, Donald and many others that are dry could call upon the duck protestors to buy some water from the desal plant and fill those areas and that will be a win, win for ecotourism and duck hunters.

Once again we read in the Bendigo Advertiser of another break in at the Golden Square Pool the fourth since Christmas.

It’s another kick in the belly for these hard working, committed people who have taken on the challenge to keep this pool open for the community and who are supporting them in their attendance using the pool in big numbers. It's a disgrace to continue this senseless act of vandalism towards people who are doing an excellent job to benefit the community, considering the continued pressure that is being placed on them by the council of the City of Greater Bendigo to stay open without having this problem to contend with. The time that is wasted having to clean or fix up the mess created that could be used for more positive outcomes. One could be cynical in thinking that there is something else that is driving this behavior?

Letters must carry the name, full address and  telephone number of the author. The writer’s name and suburb/town will be published. We reserve the right to edit letters. Letters which are deemed inappropriate will not be published.Send letters to Bendigo Advertiser, PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or at bendigoadvertiser.com.au

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