Shooters and animal activists will converge on wetlands across Victoria to mark what could be the opening of the state's final duck hunting season.
A shortened hunting window with strict bag limits was approved in February but the state government agreed to set up a parliamentary inquiry to consider its future amid renewed calls for a ban.
Members of the nine-person upper house committee will observe the season opening on Wednesday morning at the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve, ahead of inquiry submissions closing on May 8.
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"It's important for us to see firsthand how this recreational hunting season operates and we want to see the season in operation so that we have that experience in mind when we commence public hearings," committee chair Ryan Batchelor said.
"We have already received hundreds of submissions and encourage anyone with views on native bird hunting to make a submission before the closing date."
The Coalition Against Duck Shooting rescue team will target Lake Buloke near Donald in the state's northwest, rescuing wounded birds so they can be treated by awaiting Wildlife Victoria staff.
"Duck shooting is a dying activity," the coalition's campaign director Laurie Levy said.
Fourteen wetlands will be closed or partially closed for the season to protect threatened species, including critically endangered orange-bellied parrots after a recent sighting.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and inquiry member Jeff Bourman said the five-week season was a joke.
"It's become very clear to me now that the minister for outdoor recreation does not have her constituents' interests at heart," he told his followers in a Facebook video posted on Monday.
"It's time for her to move on, to give that portfolio to someone who will do their job properly and not just cave in to the animal activists."
Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania are the only Australian states where duck shooting is permitted after Western Australia, NSW and Queensland banned the practice in 1990, 1995 and 2005, respectively.
The upper house committee is due to publish its final report by August 31.
Australian Associated Press
