Duckshooting: Victoria’s duck season to open on March 19

Duck shooters have applauded arrangements for this season, but there are trade-offs for more days hunting.

Victoria’s duck hunters will have a longer season and increased bag limit this year.

But there are trade offs with an increase in fees to shoot and the requirement to undergo Aboriginal cultural awareness training.

Duck hunting season starts on March 19 and will run for 83 days until June 9, an additional 27 days compared to 2024.

Hunters can also bag nine ducks a day, up from six last year, with seven duck species allowed.

The blue-winged shoveler is off-limits and the use of lead shot for quail hunting is also banned.

Licence renewal notices sent out late last year showed the cost of an annual game licence for all species had risen from $95.40 to $150.20.

The Allan Labor government confirmed the changes last week. The announcement sparked an angry reaction from the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, declaring Premier Jacinta Allan had the “blood of Australia’s native waterbirds on her hands”.

Victoria’s longer duck season will be 27 days longer this year compared to 2024. Picture: Peter Ristevski

“With the imminent threat of the deadly H5N1 bird flu, which has already killed hundreds of millions of birds and other wildlife on every other continent, and the H7N8 strain now detected on two poultry farms in northern Victoria, the Premier’s call is totally irresponsible,” Coalition Against Duck Shooting campaign director Laurie Levy said.

The arrangements for this season and a commitment to not changing season start and end dates for the next three years, has been applauded by Field & Game Australia.

“We specifically recognise Outdoor Recreation Minister, Steve Dimopoulos, for his role in ensuring this decision was based on regulatory processes rather than political ideology,” a FGA spokesman said.

“His commitment to hunting as a legitimate, regulated, and sustainable activity is an important step forward.

“FGA will continue to advocate for hunters’ rights and ensure responsible, evidence-based game management practices remain the foundation of future decisions.”

Coalition Against Duck Shooting campaign director Laurie Levy. Picture: Peter Ristevski

The government has confirmed all new hunters will need to do mandatory online knowledge training and testing, including Aboriginal cultural awareness training, as part of the waterfowl wounding reduction action plan.

All hunters renewing their licence from 2026 will also be required to complete this training.

Mr Dimopoulos said: “Duck hunting is a legitimate activity that matters to thousands of Victorians and we’re making sure it can continue sustainably and responsibly – backed by science.”