Duck shooters shot down an activist’s drone on the opening morning of the 2025 duck shooting season at Lake Ellesmere.

Just after sunrise on Saturday, local animal rights advocates gathered at the eastern edge of the lake to document the traditional hunting event.

Animal rights activist Nick Hancock said among the group was a qualified drone pilot, who launched a drone to record footage of the shoot.

The drone footage captured a wounded duck thrashing in the water after being shot,  but not killed.

The situation escalated when duck shooters allegedly took aim at the drone and brought it down with a shotgun blast.

A police spokesperson said “police received a report around 10:30am today of a drone being shot at, at the eastern edge of Lake Ellesmere.

Police have attended, and spoken with people at the location. Police will be following up.”

Witnesses said police questioned the shooters.

A duck shooter at the scene said “they were not escorted away from the scene by police.

“The police actually said that they could stay as long as they wanted as they were within their rights to stay. The men chose to leave as the activists ruined what they worked so hard to do.”

Animal rights activists remained at the site for several hours holding signs opposing duck shooting.

They said they received positive support from passing motorists.