AN animal protection group is calling on iconic Australian rock Hunters & Collectors to change its name.

The Australian head of campaigns for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has written to the members of the 1980s rock group urging them to consider the name change to “discourage people from hunting animals”.

“We feel sure that it was never your intention to promote the killing of intelligent, sensitive, and defenceless animals, but your name may nevertheless make hunting seem appealing to your fans,” Ashley Fruno, PETA’s associate director of campaigns, wrote.

“Nearly 300,000 Australian waterbirds face an agonising death during hunting season, which opens in Victoria and Tasmania next week and is already underway in South Australia.

“As your Adelaide reunion show is coming up, now is the perfect time for a band namelift.”

PETA gave away the game, indicating the group was really after a cheap publicity stunt than a serious request by suggesting “Hunters & Collectors of Antiques” and “Hunters & Collectors of Beer Cans” as possible replacements.

Ms Fruno suggested by agreeing to change the name of the band, the members would “help raise awareness of the cruelty inherent in hunting waterbirds and give ducks a fighting chance”.

The band, best known for 1992 release Holy Grail and fronted by singer-songwriter Mark Seymour, is yet to comment on the request.

PETA’s move to get the Hunters and Collectors to change their name because it’s antagonistic to animals is a great start but it is only the beginning.

Here are 12 other names that will have to change before we can finally achieve peace with our four-legged brothers and sisters.

Bands

Old name: The Killers

New name: The Positive Reinforcers

Old name: The Animals

New name: The Equally Valid Species

Old name: Korn

New name: Corn

Songs

Old name: Eye of the Tiger

New name: Eye of the Corn

Old name: The Lion Sleeps Tonight

New name: The Lion Asserts its Rights Tonight

People

Old name: Hunter S. Thompson

New name: Gatherer S. Thompson

Old name: Holly Hunter

New name: Holly Collector

Old name: Rex Hunt

New name: Rex Forage

Places

Old name: The Hunter Valley

New name: The Hipster Valley

Old name: Hunters Hill

New name: Hunters Burial Mound

Old name: Gunnedah

New name: Kumbayadah