The opponents of hunting in NSW National Parks regularly dwell upon the aspects of the draft bill which suggest that hunting of native animals and birds is indicated to be permitted under the proposed legislation.

As most of us know, the proposed legislation merely confirms the existing arrangements which prevail in relation to mitigation of native species. Those who think that a lack of a formal duck hunting season precludes duck hunting in NSW are, as usual, sadly misinformed.

The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water in NSW issues general licences (game birds) to hunt ducks in NSW for mitigation purposes such as crop protection. The licence states;
"The person whose name and address appears above is hereby licenced, pursuant to Section 120 of the above Act, to harm game birds for the purpose of mitigating damage caused to crops by that fauna, subject to the conditions below:"

And remember, returns are due within a month after 30 June, every year.