The sight of armed duck hunters in boats on the same river as tourist families and water skiers has Bundalong residents worried, as the hunting season begins on Saturday.
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Sharyn Taylor moved to the town with her young son four years ago for what she thought would be "a more relaxed and safe environment".
Instead, she said it is "confronting" to be on the river and lakes during duck season, which runs until May 19.
Politicians including Premier Daniel Andrews, Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy and Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes have received letters of complaint from Ms Taylor.
"I know I am not alone when I say that there are extensive and extremely concerning safety, social, ethical, environmental, regulatory and management issues regarding this activity in our town and surrounding area," she said.
"It is beyond comprehension that thousands of tourists including families participating in recreational boating activities throughout the season, along the Murray and Ovens rivers and Lake Mulwala, have their wellbeing and safety placed at risk by recreational shooters travelling in moving vessels and sharing the same waterways and popular camping areas.
"Shooters are regularly seen, both sitting and standing, in their moving vessels, with firearms aimed. They are often destabilised by passing ski and wake boats, who are usually towing youth and/or young children."
She is worried a hunter may be knocked off balance by these boats and accidentally shoot another person, possibly a child, plus considered duck hunting to be inhumane and at odds with the message of respecting wildlife and the environment.
"The deafening sound of multiple weapons firing is frightening, disturbing and akin to being at a firing range," Ms Taylor said.
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes replied to Ms Taylor, saying "hunting, like fishing, is one of the legal activities that some Victorians choose to participate in" and acknowledged the social and economic benefits.
She also address the issue in Victorian Parliament this month and supported Game Management Authority's ability to enforce the rules.
"We know that there are deeply held views in relation to duck hunting, not only in the community but in this chamber as well," Ms Symes said.
"The government does recognise duck hunting as a legitimate recreational activity, provided that the rules are followed."
Ms Taylor did not accept the minister's response, criticising what she called the government's "blind support of this destructive activity".
Duck hunters have been warned by GMA that the daily bag limit is four game ducks per person this weekend and five game ducks for the rest of the season.
Penalties for doing the wrong thing include fines of up to $38,000, jail terms, and loss of firearms and licences.
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