Brown's Lake near Donald will be re-opened this Sunday for the 2018 duck hunting season.

Brown's Lake near Donald will be re-opened this Sunday for the 2018 duck hunting season.

Brown's Lake was previously closed to hunting from the start of the 2018 duck hunting season to protect significant numbers of Freckled Duck.

Regular monitoring of the reserve by the Game Management Authority (GMA) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has confirmed that Freckled Duck have left the lake.

GMA Chief Executive Officer Greg Hyams said surveying bird numbers and closing or re-opening wetlands where appropriate helps ensure hunting in Victoria is conducted sustainably and responsibly.

"Hunting can resume at Brown's Lake half an hour before sunrise on Sunday 15 April until the season closes at half an hour after sunset on 11 June 2018," Mr Hyams said.

"Government officials will continue to monitor other closed wetlands throughout the season. If the reason for the closure no longer exists, they will be recommended to be reopened for hunting."

"Hunters are reminded to check for any closures before they depart for their hunt. Full details of all wetland closures can be found at www.gma.vic.gov.au or the Victorian Government Gazette."

GMA Game Officers, Victoria Police and other authorised officers from DELWP, DEDJTR and Parks Victoria will remain active throughout private and public land across the state during the season to ensure hunters act in a safe and responsible manner.

Hunters and the general public are urged to report any illegal hunting to the GMA through its website www.gma.vic.gov.au or the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or Victoria Police.

Details of the 2018 duck season, including fact sheets in various languages and information about any wetland closures and re-openings throughout the season, are available on the GMA website.

Media contact: Nick Foster 0417 293 365

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