VENICE, Italy – Donald Trump Jr., eldest son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has landed in hot water across the Atlantic, accused of illegally hunting rare ducks near Venice in December 2024. Italian Green Party lawmakers are sounding the alarm, claiming the avid hunter broke both Italian and European Union environmental laws during a trip that’s sparked outrage and calls for justice.
The controversy erupted when Andrea Zanoni, a Veneto regional assembly member, took to Facebook with a bombshell claim: he’d seen video evidence of Trump Jr. standing beside a dead ruddy shelduck in the Venice lagoon. This isn’t just any bird—it’s a rare species shielded by the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), a law dating back to 1979 and updated in 2009 to protect Europe’s wild birds. Killing or capturing it without a special permit is a crime in Italy, punishable by fines or jail time. Zanoni alleges the hunt took place in a Natura 2000 conservation zone, a protected EU habitat where such activity is strictly off-limits.
The footage in question comes from Field Ethos, an outdoor lifestyle brand co-founded by Trump Jr. In the now-deleted six-minute video, he’s seen in camouflage, rifle in hand, taking shots at ducks in a foggy marshland. “Great morning. Lots of wigeon, teal,” he says, before pointing to “an uncommon duck for the area—not even sure what it is in English, but incredible shoot.” That “uncommon duck,” Zanoni insists, is the protected ruddy shelduck, and the location appears to be Valle Pirimpiè, a special conservation area south of Venice.
Italian hunting laws add another layer of trouble. Under Law No. 157 of 1992, foreigners like Trump Jr. can hunt, but only with a valid home-country license, Italian insurance, and paid fees—typically through a licensed guide or on private land. Standard Italian hunting licenses, requiring a rigorous exam on wildlife and firearms, are reserved for residents. Even with proper permits, hunting protected species like the ruddy shelduck is a no-go. Zanoni argues Trump Jr., as a non-resident, shouldn’t have been hunting at all, calling it a “serious criminal offence.”
Field Ethos has countered that the hunt occurred on private land with limited, eco-conscious outings—once a week, they say, with precautions to respect the environment. Trump Jr. was in Venice for a romantic getaway with girlfriend Bettina Anderson, who shared Instagram snaps of gondola rides and Italian luxury. But neither Trump Jr., Anderson, nor Field Ethos has directly addressed the accusations.
Zanoni and fellow Green Party lawmaker Luana Zanella aren’t letting it slide. They’ve filed parliamentary inquiries urging regional and national authorities to act, proposing penalties like suspending the wildlife company’s permits. Italy’s Environment Minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, told ANSA he’s awaiting a full report before deciding on next steps.
This isn’t Trump Jr.’s first hunting controversy—he’s faced backlash for past trophy hunts, including a 2020 grizzly bear permit in Alaska. Now, with video snippets circulating online, Italian officials may launch a formal investigation. If the evidence sticks, fines or legal action could follow, turning a picturesque vacation into an international incident. For now, the question lingers: did Trump Jr. knowingly break the rules, or is this a case of crossed wires in the wild? Stay tuned—this story’s just taking flight.
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