Lowering the risk: Three wetlands in Campaspe Shire have been closed ahead of the 2024 duck hunting season to reduce the risk to endangered birds.
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The Victorian Government has closed or partially closed 32 wetlands throughout the 2024 duck hunting season to prevent losses or disturbance to significant numbers of threatened species and breeding waterbirds.
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Notable closed wetlands in Campaspe Shire include: Kow Swamp in Gunbower, and Greens Lake and Lake Stewart in Corop.
These closures come after a reduced 2023 duck hunting season which only ran for under six weeks from April 26 to May 30 with a bag limit of four birds per day.
The number of wetlands closed to hunting in 2024 is partly due to an increase in the presence of threatened species currently present at Victorian wetlands.
The increase in the presence of threatened species is due to favourable environmental conditions, including extensive flooding in late 2022, resulting in increased waterbird habitat and breeding activity. As wetlands dry, birds are concentrating on the remaining wetlands.
Wetlands have been closed to duck hunting to protect significant concentrations of threatened species including the Blue-billed Duck, Blue-winged Shoveler, Freckled Duck, Curlew Sandpiper and Brolga.
Other wetlands have also been closed to prevent disturbance to colonies of breeding waterbirds, and three wetlands (Kow Swamp, Reedy Lakes, and Richardson River) are routinely closed each year to reinforce their status as wildlife sanctuaries where game hunting is prohibited.
Shutting it down: Kow Swamp is one of the fully closed wetlands for the 2024 duck hunting season as it is considered a wildlife sanctuary.
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Signage will be installed to alert hunters to the closures and wetlands will be monitored throughout the season.
If the reason for closure no longer exists, the wetland may be reopened to hunting. Closing wetlands or regulating hunting methods at wetlands ensures that threatened species are protected, and duck hunting remains sustainable.
Other wetlands may be closed or further regulated if significant concentrations of threatened species are found.
Hunters should check the GMA website regularly for updates to wetland closures at gma.vic.gov.au or Wetland closures – 2024 duck season.
Hunters are reminded that the hunting start time is 8am every day of the season, from Wednesday, April 10, 2024 to Wednesday, June 5, 2024 (inclusive).
Hunting must stop 30 minutes after sunset. The daily bag limit is six game ducks.
The Blue-winged Shoveler and Hardhead must not be hunted in Victoria this year.
Hunters are responsible for understanding their legal, ethical and safety obligations when hunting, including knowing where it is legal to hunt.
GMA Game Officers, Victoria Police and Authorised Officers from DEECA, DJSIR and Parks Victoria will be patrolling wetlands across Victoria.
For more information on game hunting in Victoria, visit gma.vic.gov.au.
