The RSPCA opposes the recreational hunting of ducks because of the high level of cruelty involved. Every year, during the government-declared 'open season' many thousands of ducks are shot over the wetlands of Australia in the name of this ‘sport’. Some of these ducks will be killed outright. Some will be wounded, brought down and killed on retrieval. Many others will be crippled or wounded and will die within a few hours or days. Some will suffer prolonged pain before they die.

Crippling and wounding rates

The number of ducks crippled and wounded during episodes depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of weapon used (see below), and the skill of the shooter. Some studies have estimated that upto 6.6 ducks are crippled for every 10 ducks bagged. This same study also compared hunters' assessments of crippling rates to objective measurements of the number of ducks wounded, and found that hunters seriously under-reported the crippling rate. These results indicate that hunter assessments are an unreliable method of estimating wounding rates.

Why are so many ducks wounded?

Because limitations in the way shotguns operate make it impossible to ensure that a duck is killed outright, even by a skilled marksman. There is a high level of cruelty in duck hunting that cannot be eliminated unless the practice is banned.

Ducks are usually shot with a 12 gauge shotgun. A shotgun, unlike a rifle, fires a cluster of pellets rather than a single bullet. As the pellets leave the gun they gradually spread out in a cigar-shaped cloud which increases in diameter the further it is from the gun. If the duck is fully within the cloud of pellets it may be killed outright, but this depends on exactly what pattern the pellets have formed.

The spread of pellets from a shotgun is irregular, so at normal hunting range it is impossible to ensure, even when the duck is within the target area, that it will be hit by enough pellets to kill it. If the duck is on the edge of the circle of pellets it will be wounded rather than killed. If the duck is within the circle but just out of range it will be wounded as the pellets will be travelling too slowly to kill.

Where is it legal?

Recreational duck hunting is permitted in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the Northern Territory. Only in the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia is it illegal to hunt ducks for sport. In some of these states, ducks can be shot under licence when they are thought to be causing damage to crops, dams or waterways. This is despite evidence that ducks play a valuable role in controlling invertebrate pests such as snails.

The RSPCA believes that recreational duck hunting should be banned in all Australian States and Territories. If you would like to help achieve this aim, please write to your local State/Territory MP or the relevant State/Territory Minister expressing your views.