THE 2025 Victorian Duck Hunting Season will go ahead, with the State Government advising it will be sustainable, safe and backed by science.

Outdoor Recreation Minister, Steve Dimopoulos, announced the settings for the 2025 duck hunting season last week, saying it was determined by the science-based Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) model and the Wounding Reduction Action Plan.

“Duck hunting is a legitimate activity that matters to thousands of Victorians and we’re making sure it can continue sustainably and responsibly – backed by science,” he said.

“Our wounding reduction action plan will improve animal welfare and is a significant step to make sure recreational hunting can continue sustainably in Victoria.”

This year is the first season the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) model will be used to guide the daily bag limit in Victoria, with the modelling tailored to Victoria’s unique conditions, habitats and species.

He said recreational duck and quail hunting was a legitimate activity and it mattered to thousands of Victorians who loved the great outdoors and regional businesses which benefitted, but it needed to proceed safely and sustainably.

From this season, all new hunters seeking a license are required to do mandatory online knowledge training and testing – including Aboriginal cultural awareness training – as part of the Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan.

All hunters renewing their licence from 2026 will also be required to complete this training.

The 2025 duck season will open on Wednesday, 19 March, 2025 and close on Monday, 9 June, 2025.

The start time is 8am for the first five days of the season, after which hunting can start 30 minutes before sunrise.

The 2025 daily bag limit is nine ducks and seven duck game species can be hunted.

The blue-winged shoveler cannot be hunted this season and the use of lead shot for quail hunting is also banned.

Mr Dimopoulos said planning measures were also giving hunters certainty about future seasons, with the dates for the next three years set out in the Wildlife (Game) Regulations.

Further details about the 2025 season, including any wetland closures, will be regularly updated on the Game Management Authority (GMA) website at gma.vic.gov.au.