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Sustainable Use - Duck Hunting

Duck and Quail Hunting in 2009– General Open Season Information

Photo: P Wainwright

A restricted duck and quail hunting season has been approved for South Australia in 2009.

Following an assessment of rainfall data, wetland condition and waterfowl abundance, and also considering whether hunting activities could impact on waterfowl populations, South Australia has declared restricted duck and quail hunting seasons for 2009. The information used in this analysis was derived from the Bureau of Meteorology, the annual DEH wetland and waterfowl survey, the National Agricultural Monitoring Service, and the Eastern Australian Aerial Waterbird survey conducted by Professor Richard Kingsford, University of NSW.

South Australian waterfowl surveys conducted in October 2008 show waterfowl populations in South Australia were variable reflecting the movement patterns of some nomadic species and a decline in numbers of some of the more residential species.

Eastern waterbird surveys conducted in October 2008, prior to significant rainfall events across north and eastern Australia, indicated waterbird abundance was below average, but had increased considerably in comparison with the previous six years, and the number of species breeding was still below average, however, had increased in comparison to the previous two years.

South Australia has experienced average and below average rainfall over the past 12 months, which has resulted in poorer wetland condition in the Southeast and Murraylands districts, however, average wetland condition was detected through the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Well above average rainfall and localised flooding in the northern parts of the Murray-Darling Basin and eastern parts of Lake Eyre Basin and SE Queensland has restored large areas of significant waterfowl habitat. Very recent flooding along the Diamantina River and Thomson Rivers, and the Cooper Creek in Queensland will bring flood waters into South Australia and Lake Eyre. These flooding events have created significant areas for waterfowl breeding.

An open season for a limited number of duck species has been approved from Saturday 28 March 2009 to Sunday 31 May 2009. The bag limit is 4 birds per day.

The open season for Stubble Quail will also run between 28 March and 31 May 2009 and a bag limit of 15 quail per day applies.

To shoot duck and quail in South Australia a permit is required. In order to obtain a permit, shooters must have passed a Waterfowl Identification Test and have a firearms permit for a shotgun. More information is available at the fauna permits website.

Individuals hunting on private land are required to have the written permission of the landowner.

Duck

Pink-eared Duck
Photo: Michael Todd

The open season for duck throughout the State is from 6.30 am on Saturday 28 March until 5.35 pm on Sunday 31 May, except at Chowilla, Loch Luna, and Moorook Game Reserves, which have specific open days during the hunting season. (see below)

Open season across the State for Grey Teal Anas gibberifrons, Chestnut Teal Anas castanea,, Hardhead Aythya australis, Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata and Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus.

A total bag limit of 4 duck per day applies

Closed Season on the following duck species

Pacific Black Duck Anas Superciliosa
Australasian (Blue-winged) Shoveler Anas rhynchotis
Mountain Duck Tadorna tadornoides

The Blue-winged Shoveler has a limited distribution in South Australia and has experienced a series of poor seasons in which breeding opportunities have been extremely restricted. The population (derived from aerial and ground based survey) appears to be stable, however the species may require a longer series of favourable seasons before sustainable harvesting can be permitted.

The Black Duck is a species that prefers permanent vegetated swamps and moves locally. Wetland habitat for the Black Duck in South Australia has been sub-optimal due to below average rainfall in the Southeast and Murraylands districts. Breeding opportunities during 2008 were limited

Mountain Duck are sedentary and were recorded in lower numbers in 2008. The South East region has experienced three successive below average rainfall years and preferential habitat has reduced significantly.

Stubble Quail

The open season for Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis throughout the State is from 6.30 am on Saturday 28 March 2009, until 5.35 pm on Sunday 31 May 2009, between the daylight hours from sunrise to sunset.

Total bag limit – 15 stubble quail per day.

See the 2008 Waterfowl and Wetlands Survey Report (2.5Mb PDF)

See the report 'Climatic Information Relating to Wetland and Landscape Condition' (1Mb PDF)

Game Reserves 2009 - Proposed Opening Dates

Chowilla, Moorook and Loch Luna Game Reserves

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March 2009, 7 am to 7.50 pm,

Saturday 04 and Sunday 05 April 2009, 7.15 am to 7.25 pm,

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April 2009, 7.25 am to 7.15 pm

Saturday 02 May and Sunday 03 May 2009, 7.35 am to 6.50 pm,

Saturday 16 May and Sunday 17 May 2009, 7.45 am to 6.35 pm,

Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2009 7.55 am to 6.25 pm.

Chowilla Game Reserve

The open season applies to all the Reserve, other than, for safety reasons, all of the area within 500 metres radius centred upon the Chowilla Homestead, shearing shed, Woolshed Creek, Lock 6 on the River Murray, Coombool Outstation (Homestead), Chowilla Creek, and excluding the wildlife refuge of Coombool Swamp, all waters of Horseshoe Lagoon and land on Punkah Island within 500 metres of these waters.

Also excluded due to targeted environmental watering are the following wetlands: Pilby Creek, Pilby Lagoon, Lock 6 Depression, Slaneys Billabong, Pipeclay Billabong and Copper Mine Water Hole.

Moorook Game Reserve

The open season applies to all the Reserve, other than the strip of land 100 metres wide on the western boundary of Sections 474, 475 and 476 Hundred of Moorook, County of Albert, adjacent to the Kingston-Loxton Highway.

Loch Luna Game Reserve

The open season applies to all creeks and associated backwaters of the Reserve north of the marked navigation channel of Chambers Creek, excluding a 500 metre radius of any house or outbuilding, and within 300 metres of any road or bridge; and for safety reasons, the open season does not apply to all of the area within 500 metres radius of the homestead of Section 706 McIntosh Division Hundred of Cobdogla Irrigation Area

Note: Access to Loch Luna is mainly by boat – all hunters should be aware of dangerous quicksand in a number of areas.

Lake Robe GR
Tolderol GR
Currency Creek GR
Mud Islands GR

From 6.30 am on Saturday 28 March 2009 until 6.25 pm on Sunday 31 May 2009.

Poocher Swamp GR
Bucks Lake GR
Bool Lagoon GR

CLOSED due to low water levels

The Director, DEH may close a Reserve by posting a notice to that effect at any commonly used entrance to that Reserve, where it is in the interests of conservation to do so.

Hunting on Unalienated Crown Lands

Hunting on unalienated Crown land is approved during 2009, with the exception of the following locations:

Murraylands Region

The waters of the River Murray within 150 metres either side of any lock or weir structure.
Pieces 14, 15 and 16, Deposited Plan 75804, Hundred of Cadell (Cadell Evaporation Basin)
Allotment 2, Deposited Plan 34467, Hundred of Waikerie (Hart Lagoon)
Pieces 5 & 6, Deposited Plan 48756, Cobdogla Irrigation Area (Cobdogla Evaporation Basin)
Section 388, Hundred of Holder (Riverfront Reserve) (Maize Island)
Sections 23, 172, 247, 295, 296, Hundred of Gordon (Thieles Flat)
Sections 1781, 1784 and Pieces 3 and 4 and Allotment 5, Deposited Plan 23536, Berri Irrigation Area (Berri Evaporation Basin)
Allotment 99, Deposited Plan 26809, Hundred of Ettrick
Allotments 200 & 202, Deposited Plan 68309, Hundred of Kingsford (Billiat)

South East Region

Section 710, Hundred of Baker

Allotments 1 to 4, Deposited Plan 23394, Hundreds of Hindmarsh and Riddoch (Lake Leake)
Section 725, Hundred of Caroline (Eight Mile Creek)
Section 583, Hundred of Waterhouse (Lake Eliza) and environs
Section 582, Hundred of Waterhouse (Lake St Clair) and environs
Section 80, Hundred of Lake George (Lake St Clair) and environs
Allotments 100 and 101, Deposited Plan 18136, Allotments 21 and 22, Deposited Plan 77576 and
Allotments 100, 101 and 102, Deposited Plan 76229, Hundred of Caroline

Adelaide Region

Allotments 10 and 11, Deposited 52109, Hundred of Goolwa (Goolwa)
Sections 2082, 2083, 2084, 2086, Hundred of Kondoparinga (Bullock Hill)
Allotments 3 and 4, Deposited Plan 23558 and Sections 679 to 681, 686 to 688, 693, 695 and 722, Hundred of Port Gawler (Port Gawler)
Allotment 22, Deposited Plan 76309, Hundred of Port Adelaide (Mutton Cove)
Section 209, Hundred of Waitpinga (Deep Creek)
Piece 103, Deposited Plan 68900, Hundred of Encounter Bay (Spring Mount)
Piece 2, Deposited Plan 28258, Hundred of Adelaide (Morialta)

Northern and Yorke Region

Sections 2349 and Allotment 60, Deposited Plan 27952 and Allotment 72, Deposited Plan 28222, Hundred of Wallaroo (Wallaroo Mines)
Allotment 1, Deposited Plan 30408 and Allotment 2, Deposited Plan 29815, Hundred of Carribie (Gleeson's Landing)
Section 458, Hundred of Hanson (Porter’s Lagoon)
Sections 57, 59, 583 to 585, 628 and 629, Hundred of Clinton

West Region

Allotment 410, Deposited Plan 60745, Hundred of Lake Wangary

Outback Region

Allotment 2, Deposited Plan 34847, OH (Andamooka) (Finniss Springs)
Block 422, Hundred 832300, OH (Kopperamanna) (Tirari Desert)

Kangaroo Island

Section 557, Hundred of Dudley (Lashmar Lagoon)
Sections 137, 297, 298 and 299, Hundred of Dudley (Dudley)
Section 156, Hundred of Dudley (Simpson)
Section 91, Hundred of Dudley (Baudin)
Section 525, Hundred of Dudley (Penneshaw)
Section 510, Hundred of Dudley and Section 404, Hundred of Haines (Mt Thisby)
Section 50, Hundred of Duncan and Section 175, Hundred of Cassini (Lathami)

General Hunting Information

Hunting Near Barrages

No hunting or fishing is permitted within 150 metres either side of any barrage structure River Murray Waters Act 1971.

Approved Shot

Lead shot must no longer be used for duck hunting in South Australia. Nor may you have it in your possession while hunting. Several wetlands in South Australia are known to have high densities of spent lead shot in the surface mud of the areas favoured for hunting. This lead is ingested by some types of waterbirds and can cause varying degrees of lead poisoning.

Hunting with Steel Shot

Hunters should take care with the guns they use, as not all guns are suitable for steel shot. You should check with the firearm manufacturer or distributor before using steel shot.

Hunting with bismuth

Bismuth may be used in any shotgun that can use commercial lead shot.

Safety for Shooters

Please respect the rights of other hunters. It is generally accepted that the first hunter to a position has precedence and no hunter should approach closer than 50m without the other hunter’s permission. Avoid accidents – please don't shoot low.

Important Information

Duck shooting is prohibited from half an hour after sunset to one quarter of an hour before sunrise the next day during the open season.
You will need a hunting permit endorsed for the hunting of protected game. You are required to carry the hunting permit with you at all times and produce it on the demand of a warden.
Observe the bag limit.
It is unlawful to use pump action and self-loading shotguns for the purpose of hunting.
Duck and quail may only be taken with a smooth bore firearm that has a bore not exceeding 1.9cm (12 gauge) firing shot no larger than BB (4.1mm in diameter).
Shooting is not permitted on any Reserve other than a Game Reserve.
Lead shot must not be used in the taking of ducks throughout this State. Non-toxic shot such as steel or bismuth is to be used.
Pre-feeding of hunting grounds for the purpose of enticing ducks into the area is prohibited.
Any person entering a Game Reserve must not have lead shot in his/her possession.
Shooting or taking any protected bird, mammal or reptile other than the species listed is prohibited.
You will need written permission to hunt from all landowners for all land, including Crown Land. This includes the backwaters of the River Murray where it floods private land, and the lakes of the Southeast. The Minister for Environment and Heritage has not approved hunting on some unalienated Crown Lands.
Hunting without a current hunting permit and/or failing to obtain the written permission of the landowner prior to hunting on any land may incur a penalty of up to $1000.
The penalties for the illegal taking of, or possession of protected fauna range from $2500 and six months imprisonment, up to $10,000 and two years imprisonment, depending on the type of animal involved. Therefore, please identify your species before shooting and do not exceed bag limits.
A penalty of up to $1,250 applies for being in possession of lead shot or shot containing lead whilst within any Game Reserve, or for possession of lead shot whilst hunting waterfowl anywhere in the State.
Duck shooting is prohibited from a boat that is moving or under way.

Hunters must have passed the Waterfowl Identification Test to go duck shooting. Contact DEH, telephone 8124 4803 for details.

Further Information

Hunters can obtain additional information from the offices below:

Fauna Permit Unit
Department for Environment and Heritage
1 Richmond Road
Keswick, SA 5035
Australia
Phone (61 8) 8124 4972

Department for Environment and Heritage
9 Mackay Street
Port Augusta 5700
Phone (61 8) 8648 5300

Department for Environment and Heritage
75 Liverpool Street
Port Lincoln 5606
Phone (61 8) 8688 3111

Department for Environment and Heritage
Naracoorte - Penola Road
Naracoorte 5271
Phone (61 8) 8762 3412
Office hours only, Monday to Friday

Lake Robe Game Reserve
Department for Environment and Heritage
Robe Street
Robe 5276
Phone (61 8) 8768 2543

Tolderol, Currency Creek and Mud Islands Game Reserves
Department for Environment and Heritage
Princes Highway
Meningie 5264
Phone (61 8) 8575 1200

Chowilla, Moorook and Loch Luna Game Reserves
Department for Environment and Heritage
28 Vaughan Terrace
Berri 5343
Phone (61 8) 8595 2111

Department for Environment and Heritage
SGIC Building, 11 Helen Street
Mount Gambier, 5290
Phone (61 8) 8735 1177

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