A REVAMP of duck hunting rules for next year has been described by shooters as environmentally responsible, but slammed by the animal welfare lobby.The hunting season will be officially cut short by two weeks, but shooters will be allowed to take five ducks a day rather than three.Warrnambool Field and Game Club secretary Graham Kemp said duck hunting season was necessary to cull species which were regarded as pests."We are pleased with the Government's decision and think it is responsible," Mr Kemp said."Wood ducks in particular have been pests and have a deleterious effect on dam water and get into farmers' crops. We are legally, responsible shooters."Acting Minister for Environment and Climate Change Tim Holding said the changes struck a balance between ensuring sustainable duck numbers and the interests of hunters."On balance the Government is convinced that hunting will not adversely affect populations of ducks at the levels allowed for the 2010 season," he said.However, RSPCA president Dr Hugh Wirth descibed the decision as irresponsible and showed a blatant disregard for the welfare of wildlife."It is no secret that thousands of ducks are wounded horrifically each and every season and die a slow and painful death," he said.Long-time activist Laurie Levy called for a crime commission into the decision which he said was politically motivated to accommodate a small number of shooters.Mr Kemp said next year's season from March 20 to May 30 was effectively longer than this year's hunting period, which was cut short to the first weekend in May because of low water levels in central and northern Victoria."We had a good season in the south-west and use dams on private property, along rivers and wetlands," he said."Hunters always carry a waterfowl identification kit, hold a game licence and a shooter's licence."I've been at it 40 years. We have proven ourselves responsible conservationists."Ducks that are shot are collected, cleaned and cooked for eating. Mr Levy is losing credibility and focus."The club will hold a training night on waterfowl identification in conjunction with the Department of Sustainability and Environment on January 15 in the Southern Way offices.