Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is reminding duck hunters to be aware of designated hunting areas at the water corporation’s lakes, dams, and reservoirs this hunting season.
The Victorian Government has announced the 2024 duck season will open at 8:00am on Wednesday, 10 April 2024, and close 30 minutes after sunset on Wednesday, 5 June 2024.
The announcement detailed that the hunting start time will be 8:00am until 30 minutes after sunset for the entire season and that the daily bag limit will be six ducks per day. Blue-winged shovelers and hardheads cannot be hunted for the 2024 season due to their threatened status.
GMW acting Water Storage Services general manager Craig Kellow asked people to make preparations before going hunting at GMW lakes, dams, and reservoirs.
“It is important hunters familiarise themselves with the duck hunting arrangements for the 2024 season,” he said.
“Duck hunting is permitted at several of our lakes, dams, and reservoirs, but there are still areas at these storages where hunting is prohibited.
“It is important hunters are aware of these locations before they visit. We have maps on our website showing people where hunting is not allowed, and we encourage people to get in touch with us if they need something clarified.
“Hunters will also need to get landholder consent to hunt or pass through private property that adjoins GMW land, waterways, and storages.
“We ask everyone to be considerate of other members of the public and the environment, and to make safety their priority.”
Duck hunting is permitted at the following GMW storages: Cairn Curran Reservoir, Tullaroop Reservoir, Lake Hume, Lake Eppalock, Laanecoorie Reservoir, Greens Lake, Lake Eildon, Lake Buffalo, Waranga Basin, Lake Charm, Kangaroo Lake, Lake Nillahcootie, and Lake Nagambie.
However, wetlands can be closed to hunting by the Minister for Environment and the Minister for Outdoor Recreation under the Wildlife Act 1975 for various reasons, including to protect significant numbers of threatened species or breeding waterbird colonies.
Hunters are reminded to regularly monitor the Game Management Authority (GMA) website for updates to wetland closures and other management actions: www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/wetland-closures-duck-season
The Victoria Police, and Authorised Officers from partner agencies will patrol wetlands across Victoria to ensure people are abiding by the rules.
People can report illegal hunting and breaches to public safety laws to the GMA, by phoning 136 186 or visiting the GMA website: gma.vic.gov.au
The GMA website also contains the details of the 2024 duck hunting season arrangements: www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/duck-season-arrangements
More information on duck hunting at GMW storages, including maps specifying where duck hunting is permitted, can be found on the GMW website: www.gmwater.com.au/duckhunting