Duck hunting locations
General Information
This section provides general information on where you may hunt duck in Victoria. For maps and other information, please see Popular Duck Hunting Areas, State Game Reserve Maps and the 2012 Victorian Hunting Guide.
| Land Classification | Duck Hunting Permitted? |
|---|---|
| State forest and other unoccupied Crown land | Game duck may be hunted during the open season only. |
| State Game Reserves | Game duck may be hunted, but only during the open season. |
| Sanctuaries | Game duck may not be hunted at any time. |
| Melbourne Water Catchment Areas | Hunting of any type is not permitted at any time. |
| Forest Parks, 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 | Generally, duck hunting is not permitted at any time, however, there are some exceptions. See below for details. |
| Alpine Resorts | Hunting of any type is not permitted at any time. |
| Leased Crown land | Game duck (only during the open season) may be hunted, but only with the permission of the lessee. |
| Licensed Crown land | Generally, game duck (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 | Game duck (only during the open season) may be hunted, but only with the permission of the land owner/manager. |
State Forest and other Unoccupied Crown Land
Generally, hunting for pest animals and game species (including game duck) is permitted in all State forests and unoccupied Crown land (i.e. Crown land that is not leased or licensed). However, some restrictions may apply. Hunters are advised to consult the local DPI 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
All State Game Reserves are available to duck hunting during the open season. Tower Hill State Game Reserve, near Warrnambool, is closed to hunting every day between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm.
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.
For basic maps of each Reserve and details of how to get there, what facilities are available, what game species may be hunted and other information relevant to hunting and camping, please click on the link “State Game Reserve Maps” above.
Sanctuaries
Game species (including game duck) 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, DPI), Gunbower Island Sanctuary, Kow Swamp and Reedy Lakes near Kerang. The location of other sanctuaries should be checked with the local DPI Office.
Melbourne Water Catchment Areas
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.
Forest Parks, Flora and Fauna Reserves and Nature Conservation Reserves
Carrying and using firearms in these areas is prohibited. However, there is one exception: the Delatite Arm Reserve at Lake Eildon (North-East Region, DPI) where an unloaded shotgun may be carried during the duck season.
National Parks, Coastal Parks and Wilderness Parks
Most Wilderness, National, State and Coastal Parks are closed to duck hunting at all times. However, you are allowed to hunt game duck in the parks 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, DPI). In certain sections, game duck, may be hunted in season. Dogs are allowed for retrieval of game ducks during the duck season. Check with the Traralgon DPI Office for details on (03) 5172 2111. Hunters must have a permit from Parks Victoria to erect a hide or to cut vegetation for a hide in the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. Check with the Parks Victoria Sale office on (03) 5144 3048 for further details.
- Lake Albacutya Park (North West Region, DPI). The hunting of game duck is permitted during the open season. Dogs are allowed for retrieval of game ducks during the duck open season. Hunting is not permitted in part of the park, near the boat ramp. Check with the Horsham DPI Office for details on (03) 5362 2111.
- Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park (Gippsland Region, DPI). Hunting for duck is permitted in certain sections in season. Check with the Yarram DSE Office on (03) 5183 9100 of which areas are open to hunting.
Alpine Resorts
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.
Leased Crown Land
Game species (including game duck) 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 DPI Office.
Licensed Crown Land
Generally, hunting for game species including game duck (during the open season) and pest animals 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 unused roads and water frontages, which may be licensed for grazing or other purposes.
If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, or require any further information, please contact your local DPI Office.
Private Land
Game species (including game duck) 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 DPI Office.
Duck Hunting and the Murray River
The southern bank of the Murray River, including the original location of that bank beneath impounded waters such as Lake Mulwala and Lake Hume, is the State boundary between Victoria and New South Wales. South of that border, game ducks may be hunted during the open season on any area open to duck hunting. This includes flood waters that have flown over the southern bank of the Murray River, into areas open to hunting in Victoria.
If you are hunting ducks on Lake Mulwala or Lake Hume during the open season, it is your responsibility to be aware of your location on those lakes. The hunting of ducks in NSW is not permitted, unless as part of the NSW Game Bird Management Program. For more information on the NSW Game Bird Management Program please contact the NPWS Riverina Regional office on (02) 6966 8109
