Trump Jr.: Illegal Duck Hunting in Venice?

Italian politicians are calling for action against Trump Jr.'s hunting party over the alleged killing of a protected duck.

And this time there is video evidence of his bloodlust. An online video from the hunting lifestyle company Field Ethos actually shows Trump Jr. shooting at waterfowl in the protected zone.

Protected Duck Species Killed in Conservation Zone

On Tuesday, 4 February 2025, authorities were urged to take action against a hunting party, which Donald Trump Jr. was also part of, that may have killed a protected duck species near Venice.

Andrea Zanoni of the Europa Verde party in the northern region of Veneto cited a video published on the Field Ethos website — founded by Trump and aimed at male adventurers. It shows Trump Jr. during a recent recreational hunting trip in the wetlands of Valle Pierimpie, which borders the Venice Lagoon.

At one point, Trump is shown next to a dead duck, which Zanoni identified as a red-crested pochard. This species is protected in Europe, and killing such a duck is a criminal offence in Italy, according to Zanoni. Yet another case of criminal activity in the world of hobby hunters.

It is not clear from the video, which was picked up by Italian media, who killed the duck. It was not clear when the recreational hunt took place, but Italian media reported that Trump was in Italy in December and a Christmas tree was visible in the footage.

Politicians Demand Revocation of Hunting Licence

Zanoni appealed to the members of the Veneto regional parliament to take action, in coordination with Luana Zanella, a Green Party member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, who addressed the Italian Minister of the Environment. Zanoni stated that he was also demanding the suspension or revocation of the permit for the wildlife hunting company Valle Pierimpie, which had organized the recreational hunting event.

Recreational hunting is strictly regulated in Italy. Only residents of an Italian region are permitted to hunt in Italy, as they must hold a hunting licence which, by law, is issued by the region in which the hobby hunter resides.

A spokesperson for Trump stated that the hunting group had held a permit and had hunted in a legally permitted area “in which numerous other hunting groups were also present.”

“While it remains unclear whether this individual duck was inadvertently shot by someone from Don’s hunting group or another hunting group, or was otherwise killed and retrieved by the group’s hunting dog, Don takes compliance with all rules, regulations, and conservation standards on his recreational hunts very seriously and plans to fully cooperate with any investigation,” said Andy Surabian, a spokesperson for Trump, in a statement.

Not the first time: Trump Jr. and trophy hunting

It is not the first time that the Trump scion has found himself in hunting-related trouble: In the summer of 2019, he shot a rare argali sheep during a hunting trip in Mongolia — without a hunting permit. The licence was only granted to him after the fact, prompting international criticism. Recreational hunting threatens biodiversity worldwide.

In 2012, he participated alongside his brother Eric (then 33) in a big-game hunt in Africa, posing with protected animals including lions, leopards, and buffalo. More on the animal welfare issues of trophy hunting.