2015 duck season draws to a close

Victoria’s duck hunters took advantage of their last opportunity to go hunting this year as the 2015 duck season drew to a close over the Queen’s birthday long weekend.

Victoria’s duck hunters took advantage of their last opportunity to go hunting this year as the 2015 duck season drew to a close over the Queen’s birthday long weekend.

Game Management Authority (GMA) Chief Executive Officer Greg Hyams said it was a relatively quiet season with bird numbers down as a result of dry conditions across the west of Victoria, Queensland and northern New South Wales.

“Hunters took advantage of the long weekend for one last trip into regional Victoria. Bags were generally one to two birds,” Mr Hyams said.

Over the closing weekend, the GMA, in partnership with Victoria Police and the Departments of Environment, Land Water and Planning, and Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources ran operations across the state targeting more than 24 wetlands and waterways to ensure that hunters adhered to the hunting laws and that protestors did not breach public safety laws.

“Hunter behavior was generally good, however, five infringement notices were issued: one for using banned lead shot, one for hunting with no Game Licence and three for failing to retain a wing on a duck.”

Mr Hyams said small groups of protestors were present at several wetlands throughout the state, including at Kerang, Colac and Geelong.

“A small number of protestors allegedly breached public safety laws in a bid to disrupt hunting at Lake Colac on Sunday. This matter is currently being investigated by Victoria Police and the GMA. Official warnings were also issued to two protestors for approaching too close to the water’s edge at Lake Connewarre in Geelong, on Monday.”

“Incidents involving protestors allegedly breaching public safety laws in May at Lake Colac and claims of criminal damage to vehicles at Lake Connewarre are still being investigated by Victoria Police and the GMA”, Mr Hyams said.

The 2015 duck season closed half an hour after sunset on Monday 8 June 2015.

Media enquiries: Nick Foster 03 83926254

Note: There are approximately 26,000 hunters licensed to hunt duck in Victoria.