THE 2018 Victorian duck hunting season will end on Monday.
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Horsham recreation businesses have recorded mixed results with firearm and ammunition sales this season.
Drift 83 owner Mark Samson said sales at his shop had been positive.
“It’s been quite good; the sales are good for our business,” he said.
“We get a lot of local shooters shopping here, some even stopping to pick up their gear before they head over to South Australia.
“There were also some people from out of town who stopped here on the way to South Australia.”
However Wimmera Outdoors general manager Gary Jelly said locals needed to support local businesses more.
“It’s been pretty average, mainly because of the economy,” he said.
“Firearm sales haven’t just gone down, but sales for camping, fishing and other recreational equipment have been low.
“If people are struggling financially, they can’t afford to spend money on hobbies such as hunting or fishing.
“There are also so many people who are buying stuff online and we rely on Horsham locals for our business to survive.”
Game Management Authority chief executive officer Greg Hyams encouraged hunters to act safely and responsibly for the remainder of the season.
“Hunters must be licensed, use non-toxic shot, adhere to bag limits, abide by the new regulations regarding bird retrieval and meat salvage and hunt only at those the times of the day when hunting is allowed,” he said.
“Anyone caught doing the wrong thing risks receiving significant penalties, including fines of up to $38,000, jail terms, cancellation of Game and Firearm licenses, and seizure of firearms and hunting equipment.”
Mr Hyams also reminded protesters they needed to act in a safe and responsible manner.
“While those who oppose duck hunting have a right to protest, they must do so safely and legally,” he said.
“There are significant penalties should protestors unlawfully enter in, or remain on a specified hunting area, or interfere with or harass hunters.
“Public safety laws are in place to protect the broader community, hunters, authorised officers and protestors themselves.
“Offenders that unlawfully enter in, or remain on a specified hunting area can receive a maximum penalty of $9,514 and be issued with a banning notice.
“Magistrates can further impose exclusion orders. Penalties of up to $19,000 apply for breaching these notices and orders.”
The bag limit remains at the standard 10 birds per person per day.
Hunting of the blue-winged shoveler is prohibited due to persistent low numbers of the species.
