2013 duck and quail open seasons
Duck and quail hunting seasons have been approved for South Australia in 2013.
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 duck and quail hunting seasons for 2013.
The information used in this analysis was derived from the Bureau of Meteorology, the annual DEWNR wetland and waterfowl survey, CSIRO ‘Pastures from Space’ landscape modelling, PIRSA agronomic data and the Eastern Australian Aerial Waterbird survey.
South Australian waterfowl surveys conducted in October 2012 showed that waterfowl populations on South Australian wetlands had increased considerably compared with 2011. Movements of continental species towards coastal habitat in southern Australia explain the observed change. Most residential species showed a small increase in abundance between 2011 and 2012.
The Eastern Australian Aerial Waterbird Survey conducted in October 2012 indicated that total waterbird abundance had decreased compared with 2011 but remained the 2nd highest count since 1985. Breeding effort also decreased as wetlands begin to slowly contract and dry.
South Australia has experienced rainfall close to the long term average in most districts over the past 12 months. In the southeastern districts large areas of ephemeral wetland have been reinstated and supported very large numbers of waterfowl. Healthy River Murray inflows have reinvigorated pool level wetlands and created flow in back-waters and channels.
During 2012 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 northern rivers, and in wetlands such as the Macquarie Marshes, which have experienced a decade of below average rainfall and severely restricted flows.
Duck
An open season for a limited number of duck species has been approved from Saturday 16 February to Sunday 30 June 2013. 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.
Quail
An open season for Stubble Quail across the State will commence on Saturday 16 February and conclude on Sunday 28 July 2013. A limit of 25 quail per hunter per day applies.
To shoot quail in South Australia a quail hunting permit and a current firearms licence are required. Individuals hunting on private land are required to have the written permission of the landowner.
