2012 duck and quail open season
A restricted duck and quail hunting season has been approved for South Australia in 2012
Following an assessment of rainfall data, wetland condition and waterfowl abundance, and also considering whether hunting activities could impact on the conservation and sustainability of waterfowl populations, the South Australian Government has declared restricted duck and quail hunting seasons for 2012.
The information used in this analysis was derived from:
- Bureau of Meteorology
- the annual DENR wetland and waterfowl survey
- CSIRO ’Pastures from Space’ landscape modelling
- PIRSA agronomic data
- the Eastern Australian Aerial Waterbird survey.
South Australian waterfowl surveys conducted in October 2011 showed that waterfowl populations on South Australian wetlands had increased considerably compared with 2010. Movements of continental species towards coastal habitat in southern Australia explain the observed change. Most residential species showed similar levels of abundance between 2010 and 2011.
The Eastern Australian Aerial Waterbird Survey conducted in October 2011 indicated that total waterbird abundance had increased further and is now well above the long-term average. Breeding effort has decreased compared with 2010 but the diversity of species breeding remains comparatively high.
South Australia has experienced average or above average rainfall in most districts over the past 12 months. In the southeastern districts large areas of ephemeral wetland have been reinstated. Significant improvements to River Murray inflows have reinvigorated pool level wetlands and created flow in back-waters and channels.
During 2011 the Lake Eyre Basin experienced its third successive year of flooding. Water inundated large areas of floodplain (significant waterfowl habitat) and facilitated large breeding events. Similarly, lower level flooding occurred through the Murray Darling Basin, particularly in the southern rivers, and in wetlands such as the Lowbidgee floodplain, which has experienced a decade of below average rainfall and severely restricted flows.
All hunters must comply with the Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting in South Australia (97kb pdf).
Duck
A restricted open season for a limited number of duck species has been approved from Saturday 3 March to Sunday 24 June 2012. Hunters may only take a total of 12 ducks per hunter per day.
To shoot duck in South Australia, a duck hunting permit is required. In order to obtain a permit, hunters must have passed a Waterfowl Identification Test and have a firearms permit for a shotgun. Individuals hunting on private land are required to have the written permission of the landowner. Open Find out more about duck hunting permits.
Quail
In the State’s southeast (below the line of latitude 36 degrees South) the open season for Stubble Quail will commence on Saturday 3 March and conclude on Sunday 29 July 2012. A limit of 25 quail per hunter per day applies
For the rest of the South Australia, the Stubble Quail season will commence on Saturday 31 March and conclude on Sunday 29 July 2012. A limit of 25 quail per hunter per day applies.
To shoot quail in South Australia a quail hunting permit and current firearms licence is required. Individuals hunting on private land are required to have the written permission of the landowner.
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