duck and Geese shooting, 5/1/10

Magpie Geese Hunting

The shooting season for NT ducks and geese ended on the 31st December. More than 30,000 magpie geese and about 2000 ducks are believed to have been shot by 1850 hunters during the four-month season. There about two million geese in the NT, the Government claims. The Natural Resources Department said hunters now had to lodge their permit returns on how many birds were shot. The Government claims a "sustainable harvest" limit was between 10 and 14 per cent of the goose population.

Meanwhile the Victorian governemtn has declared duck shooting season from March 20 to May 30, two weeks shorter than normal. Australian wildlife groups have condemned the decision, and protests are likely. *WPAA