2022 Duck season arrangements

Please note that wetlands, or parts of wetlands, may be closed to hunting, at various times of the season. Some hunting activity (e.g. hunting from a boat) may be restricted at certain wetlands. For details, visit Wetland closures – 2022 duck season.

The Victorian Government announced the following arrangements for the 2022 duck hunting season:
Season length

Season open – 8am on Wednesday 16 March 2022

Season close – 30 minutes after sunset on Monday 13 June 2022.
Bag limits (modified)

Daily bag limit of four game ducks per day for the entire season.

Hunting the Blue-winged Shoveler is prohibited for the entire season.

Hunting the Hardhead is prohibited for the entire season.
Start times during the opening five days

Start times are delayed until 8:00am from Wednesday, 16 March through to Sunday, 20 March 2022, inclusive.

Hunting must cease half an hour after sunset on each day.
Remainder of season hunting times

For the rest of the season (21 March – 13 June, inclusive), hunting times start 30 minutes before sunrise and end 30 minutes after sunset.
Game duck species permitted to be taken

Six of the eight species of game duck are permitted to be hunted during the 2022 season. Species permitted include Pacific Black Duck, Mountain Duck, Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal, Pink-eared Duck, and Wood Duck.

The Blue-winged Shoveler and Hardhead have been listed as threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and cannot be hunted during the 2022 season
Retrieval of downed game ducks

Regulations require hunters to make all reasonable efforts to immediately retrieve all downed game ducks and to salvage at least the breast meat from all harvested ducks.

A fact sheet is available explaining the regulations.
Other arrangements

All other hunting arrangements remain unchanged.

Only non-toxic shot can be used to hunt ducks anywhere in Victoria. Lead is not permitted.

Hunters are reminded to review our information to ensure accurate identification of waterfowl, humane dispatch methods and responsible hunting techniques.

Please monitor the GMA website before and during the season to see if wetlands have been closed to hunting or hunting has been further regulated.

Hunters are reminded to hunt responsibly at all times

https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/when-to-hunt/2022-duck-season-arrangements