Wetlands closed to hunting

Five additional wetlands will be closed or partially closed to hunting for the 2022 duck season, to prevent disturbance to significant numbers of threatened birds. A total of eight wetlands will be closed, including three others that are routinely closed each year to reinforce their wildlife sanctuary status.

Five additional wetlands will be closed or partially closed to hunting for the 2022 duck season, to prevent disturbance to significant numbers of threatened birds. A total of eight wetlands will be closed, including three others that are routinely closed each year to reinforce their wildlife sanctuary status.

The wetlands to be closed are:

• Tower Hill State Game Reserve (13 km north-west of the township of Warrnambool) will be partially closed to hunting due to a significant number of Blue-billed Duck. The western half of the lake will be closed to hunting, but the eastern half of the lake will remain open.
• Bryan Swamp State Game Reserve, north-west of Dunkeld, will be closed to protect Australasian Bittern detected at the reserve. Australian Bittern is a threatened species (critically engaged) in Victoria and is classified as endangered in Australia.
• Green Swamp State Game Reserve, near Glenthompson, will be closed to protect Brolga.
• Lake Wongan State Game Reserve, north-east of Streatham, will be closed to protect Brolga.
• Lake Muirhead State Game Reserve north-west of Willaura, will be closed to protect Brolga.

The Brolga is a threatened species in Victoria. Brolga are currently flocking at Lake Wongan, Lake Muirhead and Green Swamp. Flocking is where birds gather in large numbers to feed, roost and form breeding pairs. Any disturbance during this sensitive period could impact the Brolga’s ability to breed successfully and the overall recovery of the species.

The three wetlands that are routinely closed to reinforce their status as wildlife sanctuaries where game hunting is prohibited, are:

• Kow Swamp, near Gunbower
• Reedy Lakes (Reedy, Middle and Third Lake) at Kerang
• Richardson River at Lake Buloke.

Signage will be installed at these wetlands to alert hunters to the closures. These wetlands will be monitored throughout the season.

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 rare or threatened species are found. Hunters should regularly check the GMA website for updates to wetland closures.

Hunters are reminded that the daily bag limit is four game ducks per person per day, start times are 8am from Wednesday 16 March to Sunday 20 March 2022 (inclusive).

From Monday 21 March, hunting times will revert to the standard period of half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset until the season ends on Monday 13 June 2021.

The Blue-winged Shoveler and Hardhead are prohibited from being hunted this season.

GMA Game Officers, Victoria Police and authorised officers from DELWP, DJPR, Victorian Fisheries Authority and Parks Victoria will continue to patrol wetlands across Victoria to ensure hunters and protestors act in a safe and responsible manner.

For more information visit Wetland closures – 2022 duck season.

Frequentley asked questions

Why are these wetlands closed?

The identified wetlands have been closed to duck hunting to protect threatened waterbirds.

There are special processes in place, including trigger points (number of birds present) that are used by authorities to consider whether additional protective measures are needed.

• The western lake of Tower Hill State Game Reserve has been closed to the presence of Blue-billed Duck
• Lake Muirhead State Game Reserve has been closed due to the presence of flocking Brolga
• The Green Swamp State Game Reserve due to the presence of flocking Brolga
• Bryan Swamp State Game Reserve due to the presence of Australasian Bittern
• Lake Wongan State Game Reserve due to the presence of flocking Brolga.

What about the lost hunting opportunities?

With the exception of the western side of the lake at Tower Hill State Game Reserve, these wetlands are almost dry and/or are landlocked and access can only be gained with the permission of adjoining landowners. Therefore, the impact on hunting opportunities is minimal. The eastern side of the lake at Tower Hill State Game Reserve remains open to hunting.

Why are Kow Swamp, Reedy Lakes and Richardson River closed to duck hunting in 2022?

These wetlands have been closed for the entire 2022 duck season to reinforce their status as wildlife sanctuaries where game hunting is prohibited.

Are these wetlands closed for the entire season?

The wetlands listed above will be closed for the entire 2022 duck season (16 March to 13 June 2022) under a section 86 legal notice under the Wildlife Act 1975.

The GMA and DELWP will monitor these wetlands during the 2022 duck season.

I have passed the WIT and can identify birds; can I still hunt at these wetlands?

The wetland closures will be in place to ensure that significant concentrations of threatened waterbirds are not disturbed as a result of hunting.

Brolga are currently flocking at Lake Wongan, Lake Muirhead and Green Swamp. Flocking is where birds gather in large numbers to feed and roost and facilitates young adult birds in forming breeding pairs. Any disturbance during this sensitive period could impact the Brolga’s ability to breed successfully and help in the species’ recovery.

What are the penalties for hunting at these wetlands?

Breaching a section 86 notice under the Wildlife Act 1975 carries a maximum penalty of 25 penalty units (approximately $4,545) and offenders must face court. There is no infringement notice available for breaching a section 86 notice. The extent of the fine imposed is at the discretion of the courts. Courts may impose further penalties and hunters may lose their Game and Firearm licences.