Duck Season 2009 Is ON!

2009 Duck Season Announced

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Field and Game Australia Inc. fga@fga.net.au
Date: 2009/2/4
Subject: 2009 Duck Season Announced

Dear Duck Hunters,

MINISTER JENNINGS ANNOUNCES VICTORIAN GAMEBIRD SEASON

The Victorian Government has today announced a limited 2009 season. The 49 day season will start on Saturday 21 March and finish on Friday 8 May 2009.
The bag limit TOTAL is Five (5) birds per day of which at least three (3) must be wood ducks.

NOTE: Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Mountain Duck may be taken as long as your total of these species is not more than two birds per day.

NOTE: Pink Ear, Blue Wing Shoveller and Hard Head ducks are banned in 2009.
This is the shortest duck season every announced by the Victorian Government.

The Government's Press Release:

Media release
From the Minister for Environment and Climate Change
Wednesday, 4 February, 2009
MOST RESTRICTED VICTORIAN DUCK SEASON EVER
The shortest, most restricted duck season ever will be declared for Victoria to ensure that duck numbers remain sustainable into the future. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings today said he had considered advice
from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), which advised against a season and the Government’s Hunting Advisory Committee, which had proposed a less restricted season.

Mr Jennings said a 49 day season would run from Saturday March 21 to Friday May 8.

The Minister will seek detailed advice from DSE regarding the implementation of restrictions which form part of his announcement today. “Following a waterfowl count later this month, a number of key wetlands are likely to be closed
because they will provide refuges for breeding. These and other restrictions form part of the safeguards against over-harvesting of duck numbers,” Mr Jennings said.”

To further ensure duck populations are not adversely affected, recreational shooters will be
restricted to a maximum bag limit of five game ducks of which at least three must be Wood
Duck, with a total ban on the taking of Blue Wing Shoveller, Pink Ear and Hard Head.
In addition, duck hunters will be subject to a range of strong penalties up to $2685 for breaching
any one of the conditions.
“Recent high rainfall events in Queensland and New South Wales had increased the likelihood
of breeding events,” Mr Jennings said.
“Aerial counting across the eastern states shows the Game Duck Index in 2008 has increased
by more than 87 per cent from 2007 and the Wood Duck Index has increased by more than 84
per cent,” Mr Jennings said.
“The specific bag limit for wood ducks is partially due to the fact that the species is subject to
Authorities to ControlWildlife – permits available to landholders to protect crops and dams.
“Applications to the DSE from farmers to control wood ducks have increased significantly, almost
doubling since 2005 and increasing by more than 20 per cent compared to the previous year.
“These factors seem to indicate a growing numbers of wood ducks in Victoria. There will be an
extensive survey of wetlands across the State at the end of this month to determine which sites
are unsuitable for inclusion in the season.
“Many of our wetlands are already dry and will not be available for hunting. Other areas will be
identified through the summer waterfowl count as not being appropriate sites because they
contain significant numbers of fragile species or are breeding refuges.
“DSE will review refuge sites across the region closer to the commencement of the season to
determine which areas should be closed.
Media contact: Nick Talbot 03 9651 5799/0408 473 278 www.premier.vic.gov.au
“The timing of the review will ensure that the conditions of the chosen refuges are suitable for
the protection of waterbirds. These changes are aimed at protecting waterfowl not only in
Victoria, but across the whole of eastern Australia.
“Wood ducks feed on pasture and are therefore more likely to be found on farmland than in
wetland systems and all duck hunters must ensure they seek the permission of land owners
before entering private property.”


To View FGA's response Click Here...

The Victorian quail season commences Saturday 4 April and closes Tuesday 30 June 2009. The bag limit remains twenty (20) birds per day.
Happy and safe hunting...

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