Where to hunt
The Stubble Quail is the only native quail species that can be legally hunted in Victoria. A number of introduced game birds (eg. pheasants, partridges) may also be hunted, however, most of these introduced game birds are only found on licensed game bird farms.
Stubble Quail hunting predominantly occurs on private property in stubble paddocks and grasslands, however, 16 State Game Reserves are open to Stubble Quail hunting.
The following table provides general information on where you may hunt Stubble Quail. For maps on areas where you may hunt Stubble Quail, please select from the links above.
| Land Classification | Stubble Quail Hunting Permitted? |
|---|---|
| State forest, Forest Parks (Cobboboonee and Otway) and other unoccupied Crown land | Stubble Quail may be hunted during the open season only, however, opportunities are limited. |
| State Game Reserves | Sixteen State Game Reserves are open to Stubble Quail hunting (see below for details). |
| Sanctuaries | Stubble Quail may not be hunted at any time. |
| Melbourne Water Catchment Areas | Hunting of any type is not permitted at any time. |
| Flora and Fauna Reserves and Nature Conservation Reserves | Hunting of any type is not permitted at any time. |
| National Parks, State Parks, Coastal Parks, Wilderness Parks | Stubble Quail hunting is not permitted at any time, however, there is one exception. See below for details. |
| Alpine Resorts | Hunting of any type is not permitted at any time. |
| Leased Crown land | Stubble Quail (only during the open season) may be hunted, but only with the permission of the lessee. |
| Licensed Crown land | Generally, Stubble Quail (only during the open season) may be hunted at any time, unless the land is licensed under the Land Act 1958 (see below for details). |
| Private land | Stubble Quail (only during the open season) may be hunted, but only with the permission of the land owner/manager. |
State Forest, Forest Parks (Cobboboonee and Otway) and other Unoccupied Crown Land
Generally, hunting for pest animals and game species (including Stubble Quail) is permitted in all State forests, Forest Parks and unoccupied Crown land (ie. Crown land that is not leased). However, some restrictions may apply. Hunters are advised to consult the local DELWP Office for specific information about any restrictions that apply to the area of State forest or unoccupied Crown land that they wish to hunt. Remember, many people use State forests for recreation and for their livelihood. Never shoot on or across public roads or tracks and never shoot towards populated areas, including camping and picnic areas and walking tracks.
Provided hunting is permitted in an area, pest animals may be hunted at any time and hunting for game species is allowed only during the open season for that species. Make sure that you know when the open seasons are.
State Game Reserves
| Title of reserve | Locality* | Title of reserve | Locality* |
|---|---|---|---|
| * For maps of these reserves, refer to the booklet Victorian State Game Reserves: A Hunter's Guide. | |||
| Blond Bay | 20 km south of Bairnsdale | Jack Smith Lake | 30 km east of Yarram |
| Bow Lake | 40 km east of Edenhope | Jones Bay | 5 km south of Bairnsdale |
| Clydebank Morass | 12 km north-east of Sale | Lake Coleman | 20 km east of Sale |
| Darlot Swamp | 10 km north-east of Horsham | Lake Connewarre | 8 km south-east of Geelong |
| Dowd Morass | 10 km south-east of Sale | Mansfield Swamp | 10 km west of Stanhope |
| Gaynor Swamp | 10 km north of Colbinabbin | Macleod Morass | Near Bairnsdale |
| Hateleys Lake | 10 km west of Natimuk | Rowan Swamp | 15 km south-west of Yarrawonga |
| Heart Morass | 5 km east of Sale | Wallenjoe Swamp | 10 km north of Colbinabbin |
Pest animals or other non-game species such as sparrows or starlings may not be hunted on State Game Reserves at any time, unless specific authorisation is provided by the Department.
A basic map of the State Game Reserve where Stubble Quail may be hunted and details of how to get there, what facilities are available and other information relevant to hunting and camping is available.
Generally, hunting for pest animals and game species (including Stubble Quail) is permitted in all State forests, Forest Parks and unoccupied Crown land (ie. Crown land that is not leased or licensed). However, some restrictions may apply. Hunters are advised to consult the local DELWP Office for specific information about any restrictions that apply to the area of State forest or unoccupied Crown land that they wish to hunt. Remember, many people use State forests for recreation and for their livelihood. Never shoot on or across public roads or tracks and never shoot towards populated areas, including camping and picnic areas and walking tracks.
Provided hunting is permitted in an area, pest animals may be hunted at any time and hunting for game species is allowed only during the open season for that species. Make sure that you know when the open seasons are.
There are sixteen State Game Reserves open to quail hunting. Duck hunting can occur in all State Game Reserves. Hunters can also hunt foxes, rabbits and hares on State Game Reserves, with a shotgun and during the open season for duck only
Jack Smith Lake, Dowd Morass, Ewings Morass, Clydebank Morass, Heart Morass and Lake Coleman State Game Reserve are open for Hog Deer hunting during the Hog Deer season Ewings Morass is open to Sambar Deer hunting.
Game species (including Stubble Quail) may not be hunted at any time in areas declared to be Sanctuaries. However, pest animals may be hunted. Major Victorian sanctuaries are: Mount Cole Sanctuary (South West Region, DELWP), Gunbower Island Sanctuary, Kow Swamp and Reedy Lakes near Kerang (North West Region, DELWP). The location of other sanctuaries should be checked with the local DELWP Office.
A number of catchments and reservoirs in the outer metropolitan and central highlands area are controlled by Melbourne Water and are part of the metropolitan water supply system. Public entry to these areas is prohibited to ensure a high-quality water supply.
Carrying and using firearms in these areas for Stubble Quail hunting is prohibited.
Most Wilderness, National, State and Coastal Parks are closed to Stubble Quail hunting at all times. However, you are allowed to hunt Stubble Qual in the park listed below, subject to varying conditions. Hunters must not possess a firearm in, or transport a firearm through a park (except in some instances) when hunting is prohibited. Also, where hunting is allowed, firearms must only be those calibres or gauges permitted for the species available for hunting in that park.
- Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park (Gippsland Region, DELWP). In certain sections, Stubble Quail may be hunted in season. Check with the Parks Victoria Sale office on (03) 5144 3048 for further details
All alpine resorts are closed to hunting at all times. However, you are allowed to transport a dog through an alpine resort in a vehicle. You are also allowed to transport firearms through a resort providing the firearm is in a safe and locked compartment of the vehicle.
Game species (including Stubble Quail) in season and pest animals may be hunted on leased land, provided hunters have obtained the permission of the lessee to enter the area. Remember, many people use leased land for recreation or for their livelihood. Never shoot on or across an area of leased land without the permission of the lessee and never shoot across public roads or tracks or towards populated areas, including camping and picnic areas and walking tracks.
If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, please contact your local DELWP Office.
Hunting for game species (during the open season) and pest animals (anytime) is permitted on licensed Crown land. However, some exceptions may apply. If an area is licensed under the Land Act 1958, hunters must obtain the permission of the licensee before carrying or using firearms on that area. This generally includes areas such as roads and water frontages, which may be under license. If an area of Crown land is subject to a license under the Land Act 1958, licensed game hunters do not need to seek permission if they’re travelling through these areas to access other areas of Crown land open to hunting.
If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, or require any further information, please contact your local DELWP Office.
Game species (including Stubble Quail) in season and pest animals may be hunted on private land provided hunters have obtained the permission of the land owner/manager. You must not shoot on or across public roads or tracks at any time.
If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, or require any further information, please contact your local DELWP Office.