A 10-YEAR-OLD boy has shot a farmer in the leg on the opening day of duck-hunting season.

Rod Squires, 71, had surgery to remove the slug from his calf and is recovering at home after Saturday's shooting near Benalla.

Shocked family say they are now too scared to walk around the popular creek near their Yundool home.

Faye Squires, 70, said the couple approached the lone shooter to ask he move further away from the residential area.

Shots were fired and she heard her husband yell: "He's hit me, he's hit me."

They were shocked that the hunter was a child. Police have spoken to the boy and his father, but no charges have been laid.

Children under 12 are not permitted to use firearms, hunt, or take game. Mrs Squires said guns should not be in the hands of unsupervised children.

"I just think people need to be aware there are cowboys out there who don't think it's necessary to comply with the rules," she said.

"We're not waving a flag saying, 'Stop duck shooting'. We're just trying to say that if it's irresponsible, it's just not on.

"We don't want this kid's life to be ruined and we don't want to drag him through courts. But we certainly want him to get a king-sized remonstration."

Coalition Against Duck Shooting spokesman Laurie Levy said allowing minors to shoot ducks was irresponsible.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the investigation into the incident was continuing. Duck season ends on June 10.

emily.portelli@news.com.au

Originally published as Farmer shot by duck-hunting child