Wetlands update – Hospital swamp and Dowd Morass to reopen to hunting
16/04/2025
The Victorian Government has announced that Hospital Swamp, part of the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve, near Barwon Heads, and part of Dowd Morass State Game Reserve, near Sale, will reopen to duck hunting on Friday, 18 April 2025.
The Victorian Government has announced that Hospital Swamp, part of the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve, near Barwon Heads, and part of Dowd Morass State Game Reserve, near Sale, will reopen to duck hunting on Friday, 18 April 2025.
The Game Management Authority and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action have been regularly monitoring the wetlands.
Recent monitoring has shown that the Blue-winged Shovelers previously present at Hospital Swamp have declined below threshold numbers and the waterbird breeding event at Dowd Morass has ended. As the reasons for these closures no longer exist, these wetlands will be reopened to hunting.
Wetlands or parts of wetlands may be closed to duck hunting or further regulated to protect concentrations of threatened species from disturbance or being mistakenly shot. Colonies of breeding waterbirds can be disturbed and abandon their nests and chicks.
Wetlands will continue to be monitored throughout the season. Hunters are reminded to check the GMA website regularly for updates before they go hunting. Visit Wetland closures for a full list of wetlands that are currently closed to hunting or further regulated.
A reminder that the hunting start time is 30 minutes before sunrise for the remainder of the 2025 season. The daily bag limit is nine birds per day. Hunting of the Blue-winged Shoveler is prohibited.
People are urged to report illegal hunting and breaches to public safety laws to the GMA, online at Report illegal hunting or illegal protester activity or by calling 136 186.
Useful links
Wetland closures - Table of current closed or further regulated hunting areas
Report illegal hunting or illegal protester activity
2025 Wetland Closures
14/03/2025
The Victorian Government has closed or partially closed 18 wetlands to hunting for the 2025 duck season to protect significant concentrations of threatened species and breeding waterbirds.
Most of the wetlands closed to hunting in 2025 have been closed due to the presence of significant numbers of threatened species. One wetland has been partially closed to prevent disturbance to a colony of breeding waterbirds.
Hunters should check the GMA website before entering the field for the latest information on wetland closures.
Closing or partially closing wetlands or further regulating hunting methods at wetlands ensures that threatened species are protected and duck hunting remains sustainable.
Other wetlands may be closed or further regulated during the season if significant concentrations of threatened species are found. If the reason for closure no longer exists, the wetland may be reopened to hunting.
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.
Hunters are reminded that the hunting start times are 8:00am until 30 minutes after sunset for the first five days (19-23 March, inclusive), then from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset Monday, 9 June 2025 (inclusive).
The daily bag limit is nine game ducks and the Blue-winged Shoveler must not be hunted.
Hunters are responsible for understanding their legal, ethical and safety obligations when hunting, including knowing where it is legal to hunt.
For information and maps showing where hunting is prohibited, download the More to Explore App.
GMA Authorised Officers, Victoria Police and Authorised Officers from other agencies will patrol wetlands across Victoria.
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Table of wetlands closed to hunting (as of 19 March 2025)
The wetlands listed below will be closed or partially closed to duck hunting for the 2025 duck season.
Check the Wetland closures page regularly for updates to this list. Some wetlands may be added and others removed during the course of the season.
Hunting is not permitted in wildlife sanctuaries, including Reedy Lakes (Kerang), Kow Swamp (Gunbower) and Richardson River (Buloke Shire).
Wetlands closed or partially closed to hunting will be reflected in Victoria’s online hunting maps. Download the More to Explore App or visit MapshareVic
2025 duck season wetland closures as of Wednesday, 19 March 2025
* Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve partial closure map
^ Dowd Morass State Game Reserve partial closure
