Duck hunting
DUCK/QUAIL HUNTING PERMITS ARE CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE.
Permit applications will be available prior to the opening of the season. This page will be updated when permits are available.
For more general information about permits, see Hunting permits.
An open season for duck hunting has been declared for South Australia in 2026.
This page provides a summary of important information on duck hunting including permitted species and areas for hunting, what restrictions apply and links to permit information.
Season dates
The open season begun at sunrise on Saturday 21 March 2026 and ended at sunset on Sunday 28 June 2026.
Important: some Game Reserves have restricted dates for the 2026 open season.
Season times
Shooting is permitted between sunrise and sunset, as specified by Geoscience Australia, on any given day of the open season at approved locations.
Duck species
For the 2026 open season, the protected species permitted for duck hunting are:
- grey teal (Anas gracilis)
- chestnut teal (Anas castanea)
- Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa)
- Australian shelduck (mountain duck) (Tadorna tadornoides)
- maned (wood) duck (Chenonetta jubata).
Non-permitted duck species:
For the 2026 open season, the protected species not permitted for duck hunting are:
- pink-eared duck (Malacorhynchusmembranaceus)
- hardhead (Aythya australis)
- Australasian (blue-winged) shoveler (Anas rhynchotis).
The taking of eggs of any duck species during the open season is prohibited.
Daily bag limit
On any day of the open season, a person must not take more than eight (8) ducks of the permitted species listed above.
Hunting locations
Duck hunting is permitted:
- on Game Reserves explicitly declared in the open season notice, see Game Reserves.
- on some unalienated Crown land. See details of areas of excluded unalienated Crown land.
- on private land or dedicated Crown land with the written permission of the landowner. Use this landowner permission template to seek permission.
Hunting is not permitted within:
- all reserves and sanctuaries constituted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (except for specified game reserves),
- all wilderness protection areas and all wilderness protection zones constituted under the Wilderness Protection Act 1992, and
- all sanctuary zones within any marine park established under the Marine Parks Act 2007
Humane hunting requirements
Any hunting of game birds during open season must comply with the Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Native Birds in South Australia - Open Season Hunting. This document outlines the minimum standards and most appropriate, humane method of destroying native animals to minimise pain and suffering.
Firearms
Duck can only be taken with a firearm that:
- has a smooth bore diameter of 19 mm or less (12 gauge)
- can be raised and held at arms’ length and fired from the shoulder with no other support
- has a capacity of three (3) cartridges or less or has a plugged magazine preventing more than three (3) cartridges from being loaded.
The permit holder is only permitted to use break action, bolt action and lever action shotguns. Lever release shot guns are not permitted.
Ammunition
The following must not be used to hunt duck in South Australia:
- shot of a diameter more than 4.1 mm
- lead shot (nor may you have lead shot in your possession while duck 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 can be ingested by some waterbirds and can cause varying degrees of lead poisoning.
Bismuth, steel or molybdenum shot may be used for duck hunting in South Australia. Bismuth may be used in any shotgun that can use commercial lead 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.
Further information on the different shot sizes may be found at Game Hunting in Victoria - Chapter 3 ‘A General Guide to International Shot Sizes’.
Permits
For each open season, a Duck Hunting Permit is required to hunt or assist someone to hunt duck.
Permits are not currently available. Permit applications become available prior to the opening of the season. For more information about permits see Hunting permits.
Mandatory Hunting Survey
Open season hunting permit holders are required to complete a hunting survey within 30 days of the conclusion of the open season. This survey provides useful information on species populations and distribution valuable towards the declaration of future open seasons.
Duck hunting in Game Reserves
Duck hunting during a declared open season is permitted on some Game Reserves. See below for maps and specific restrictions applicable to each game reserve during the 2026 season.
Maps are also available for use on your smartphone or other handheld device through Avenza Maps. Install the app and search for and downloaded the map you need. The map will show your real-time location within the reserve on your device and can be used without a network connection.
Game Reserves
Open season restrictions: Closed to hunting for the entirety of the 2026 duck open season. See map.
Bucks Lake Game Reserve is located on the Limestone coast approximately 37 km south-west of Mt Gambier. The coastal lake is seasonally inundated by flows from Lake Bonney SE and is home to 52 recorded native bird species.
Open season restrictions: General open season conditions apply. See map.
Chowilla Game Reserve is on the River Murray in South Australia. Covering over 17,000 hectares the reserve shares a border with New South Wales and Victoria. It forms part of the Chowilla floodplain and is a Ramsar wetland of international significance and a ‘nationally important’ wetland.
Open season restrictions: date restrictions and area restrictions apply in addition to the general open season conditions. See map.
Open season dates:
Hunting is permitted between sunrise and sunset on the following open season dates:
March 2026 - Saturday 21, Sunday 22
May 2026 - Saturday 2, Sunday 3, Saturday 16, Sunday 17, Saturday 30, Sunday 31
June 2026 - Saturday 13, Sunday 14, Saturday 27, Sunday 28
Area restrictions:
The open season applies to the whole reserve, subject to the following exclusions:
- For safety reasons, all of the area within a 500 metre radius centred upon the Chowilla Homestead, shearing shed, Lock 6 on the River Murray, the Chowilla Creek Regulator, Pipeclay Weir, Slaney Weir and Coombool Outstation (homestead) including any portion of creeks or waterbodies within 500 metres of these sites.
- For safety reasons, all areas within a 500 metre buffer zone of planned construction site zones and access tracks. Public entry into this zone is prohibited (includign waterways within construction zone).
Currency Creek Game Reserve is adjacent to the River Murray channel on the outskirts of Goolwa, approximately 90 km from Adelaide. Currency Creek Game Reserve is a coastal freshwater lake and forms part of the Coorong, Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Ramsar Wetland.
Open season restrictions: General open season conditions apply. See map.
Lake Robe Game Reserve is located 5 km south of Robe on the Limestone Coast next to Little Dip Conservation Park. The Reserve includes Lake Robe a hypersaline lake and is host to a diverse range of waterbirds. It is listed as a wetland of national importance under the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia.
Open season restrictions: General open season conditions apply. See map.
Loch Luna Game Reserve is a wetland area located in the Riverland north of Cobdogla. The reserve is around 2,000 hectares in area and consists of small waterways and lakes.
Open season restrictions: date restrictions and area restrictions apply in addition to the general open season conditions. See map.
Date restrictions:
Hunting is permitted between sunrise and sunset on the following open season dates:
March 2026 - Saturday 21, Sunday 22, Saturday 28, Sunday 29
May 2026 - Saturday 2, Sunday 3, Saturday 9, Sunday 10, Saturday 16, Sunday 17, Saturday 30, Sunday 31
June 2026 - Saturday 13, Sunday 14, Saturday 20, Sunday 21, Saturday 27, Sunday 28
Area restrictions:
The open season applies to all creeks and associated backwaters of the reserve, subject to the following exclusions:
- a 500 metre radius of any house or outbuilding, and within 300 metres of any road or bridge
- a 500 metres radius of the homestead (E 442325, N 6216583) of Section 706 McIntosh Division Hundred of Cobdogla Irrigation Area.
All lines are geodesics based on the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94).
Open season restrictions: Closed to hunting for the entirety of the 2026 duck open season. See map.
Mud Islands Game Reserve is comprised of 10 small islands in Lake Alexandrina. It forms part of the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Ramsar Wetland and is located around 19 km from south-east of Goolwa. It is only accessible by boat.
Open season restrictions: General open season conditions apply. See map.
Poocher Swamp Game Reserve is a small reserve west of Bordertown near the South Australia / Victoria border. Filled from Tatiara Creek, it typically fills 7 years out of 10 and is one of the last remaining permanent river red gum wetlands in the upper south-east of South Australia.
Open season restrictions: General open season conditions apply. See map.
Open season restrictions: General open season conditions apply. See map.
The open season applies to the whole reserve, subject to the following exclusions:
- land and water west of a line commencing at E 332052, N 6084977, south to E 332014m B 6083738, and north of the southernmost track east of this line. This encompasses all areas commonly referred to as "the bays".
Hunting on unalienated Crown land
Hunting on unalienated Crown land is only permitted during a declared open season to hunt native game birds and with a relevant open season hunting permit. Hunting of any other animal is not permitted on unalienated Crown lands.
Open season hunting on unalienated Crown land is approved during 2026. Check the below list by region for where hunting is not permitted.
Regional exclusions
- The waters of the River Murray within 150 metres either side of any lock or weir or barrage structure.
- Allotment 82, Deposited Plan 115255, Hundred of Cadell.
- Pieces 17 and 18, Deposited Plan 115702, Hundred of Cadell (Cadell Lagoon).
- Sections 698 and 710, Hundred of Baker.
- Sections 146, 386, 387, 426, 479, Hundred of Cadell.
- Allotments 102, Deposited Plan 132417, Hundred of Holder (Maize Island).
- Allotment 1, Deposited Plan 33283; Allotment 12, Deposited Plan 78511; Allotment 82, Deposited Plan 115255; Allotment 101, Deposited Plan 55181; Piece 17, Deposited Plan 115702, Hundred of Cadell.
- Piece 18, Deposited Plan 115702, Hundred of Cadell (Cadell Lagoon).
- Allotment 2, Deposited Plan 34467, Hundred of Waikerie (Hart Lagoon).
- Allotment 2, Deposited Plan 26481; Allotment 101, Deposited Plan 28223; Allotment 201, Filed Plan 50403; Allotment 13, Deposited Plan 61131; Allotment 100, Deposited Plan 72725; Allotment 90, Deposited Plan 81505; Allotment 16, Deposited Plan 113848; Allotment 44, Deposited Plan 113849; Allotment 40, Deposited Plan 113850; Allotment 8, Deposited Plan 113851; Allotment 40, Deposited Plan 120886; Pieces 5 and 6, Deposited Plan 88864; 23, 24, 25, 26, 56, 57, 164, 168, 170, 175, 176, 180, 289, 305, 309, 310, 324, 419, 454, 455, and 456, Hundred of Paringa.
- Allotment 4, Deposited Plan 35957; Allotment 801, Deposited Plan 71116; Allotments 38, Deposited Plan 74947; Allotments 9, Deposited Plan 74948; Allotment 11, Deposited Plan 75393; Allotment 501, Deposited Plan 75723; Allotments 58, 59 and 60, Deposited Plan 133784; and Sections 40, 418, 525, and the Pike River channel bordered by the aforementioned land parcels, Hundred of Paringa (parts of the upper and lower Pike Floodplain - see map).
- Pieces 5 and 6, Deposited Plan 48756, Cobdogla Irrigation Area (Cobdogla Evaporation Basin).
- Allotments 10, 11 and 12, Deposited Plan 57239, Hundred of Baker (Coorong).
- Allotments 200 and 202, Deposited Plan 68309, Hundred of Kingsford (Billiatt).
- Sections 469, 470, 474, 540 541 and 542, Hundred of Nangkita (Mundoo Island).
- Allotments 10 and 11, Deposited Plan 129483; and Sections 708 and 734, Hundred of Burdett (Sunnyside).
- Allotment 55, Deposited Plan 114031; Allotment 2, Deposited Plan 114453 (Lake St Clair), Hundred of Waterhouse.
- Allotments 1 to 4, Deposited Plan 23394, Hundred of Hindmarsh (Lake Leake).
- Section 725, Hundred of Caroline (Eight Mile Creek).
- Section 80, Hundred of Lake George (Lake St Clair).
- Section 225, Hundred of Bray (Lake St Clair – CP).
- Section 583, Hundred of Waterhouse (Lake Eliza).
- Section 925, Hundred of Caroline.
- Section 925, Hundred of Macdonnell.
- Sections 398 and 399, Hundred of Waterhouse (Lake Hawdon North).
- Allotments 107 and 108, Deposited plan 76978; Section 89 Hundred of Ross (Lake Hawdon North).
- Section 173, Hundred of Bray (Lake Hawdon North).
- Allotments 17 and 18, Deposited Plan 116262; and Allotment 22, Deposited Plan 116317, Hundred of Port Adelaide (Port Adelaide).
- Allotment 1, Deposited Plan 23558; and Piece 112, Deposited Plan 119236, Hundred of Port Gawler (Port Gawler).
- Allotments 102, 103, and 105, Deposited Plan 44233; and Allotments 3 to 5, Deposited Plan 50216, Hundred of Port Adelaide.
- Allotment 53, Deposited Plan 54498, Hundred of Willunga.
- Pieces 571 and 572, Deposited Plan 68116, Hundred of Port Adelaide.
- Allotment 509, Deposited Plan 71009, Hundred of Adelaide (Thorndon Park Reservoir).
- Allotment 22, Deposited Plan 76309, Hundred of Port Adelaide (Mutton Cove).
- Allotment 21, Deposited Plan 79457 in the Hundred of Waitpinga.
- Allotment 1, Filed Plan 30401, Part Para Woodlands Reserve.
- All of the Crown land parcels within the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary including Sections 314-316, 320-330, 337, 506-510, 512-515, 535, 615; Allotment 104 Deposited Plan 50216, Hundred of Port Adelaide.
- Sections 803, 805, 806 and 2115, Hundred of Willunga.
- Sections 703, 705-707, 809, 825, 827, 829 and 830, Hundred of Port Gawler.
- Section 743, Hundred of Encounter Bay.
- Sections 395 and 396, Hundred of Waitpinga (Cape Jervis).
- Allotment 12, Deposited Plan 125788 Hundred of Waitpinga (adjacent Deep Creek NP).
- Section 679, Hundred of Encounter Bay (adjacent Hindmarsh Valley NP).
- Allotment 100, Deposited Plan 117037, Hundred of Carribie.
- Allotment 60, Deposited Plan 27952; Allotment 63, Deposited Plan 48781; and Allotment 72, Deposited Plan 28222 in the Hundred of Wallaroo (Wallaroo Mines).
- Allotment 103, Deposited Plan 92164, Hundred of Bright (Bright).
- Sections 128 and 131, Hundred of Carribie (Point Annie).
- Sections 49 and 50 Hundred of Hallett (Hallett).
- Sections 105, 108, 137 and 144 Hundred of Mongolata.
- Sections 47, 52 and 318, Hundred of Tomkinson (Caroona Creek).
- Sections 59, 583, 584, 585, 628, 629, Hundred of Clinton (Clinton).
- Section 458, Hundred of Hanson (Porter’s Lagoon).
- Sections 609, 648, 650, 651 and 652, Hundred of Cameron (Bumbunga Lake).
- Allotment 53, Deposited Plan 75877, Hundred of Howe (Beetaloo Reservoir).
- Allotment 410, Deposited Plan 60745, Hundred of Lake Wangary.
- Section 229, Hundred of Wrenfordsley (Cape Blanche).
- Piece 23, Deposited Plan 86605, Hundred of Wookata.
- Allotment 72, Deposited Plan 125221 and Section 176, Hundred of Rounsevell (Shag Rock).
- Block 422, Hundred 832300, OH (Kopperamanna) (Tirari Desert).
- Allotment 10 in Filed Plan 219154 (Lake Eyre (North) Kati Thanda).
- Allotments 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 115, 116, 117, 118, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 135, 136, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 196, 200, 201 Town Plan 831601; Allotments 51 and 52, Deposited Plan 84007; Allotment 54, Deposited Plan 84009; and sections 791, 1081, 1082, 1083 and 1084, Hundred Plan 831600 (Innamincka town common).
- Allotment 1, Deposited Plan 76540; Allotment 42, Deposited Plan 91868; and Section 507, Hundred of Dudley (Pelican Lagoon).
- Section 175, Hundred of Cassini (Lathami).
- Section 50, Hundred of Duncan (Stokes Bay).
- Allotment 171, Deposited Plan 22929, Hundred of Winninowie.
- Allotment 1, Deposited Plan 69184; Allotment 15, Deposited Plan 31182; Allotments 1 and 2, Deposited Plan 33131, Hundred of Lake Wangary.
- Sections 123, 511, 512, 517, 518 and 519, Hundred of Lake Wangary.
- Allotment 2, Deposited Plan 33127.
- Allotment 1, Deposited Plan 33129, Hundred of Clinton.
- Piece 3, Deposited Plan 33745, Hundred of Tiparra.
- Allotment 1, Deposited Plan 35927, Hundred of MacGillivray.
- Allotment 204, Deposited Plan 38929; Allotment 29, Deposited Plan 41664, Hundred of Wrenfordsley.
- Sections 158, 159, 175, 237, 240, 241 and 242, Hundred of Wrenfordsley.
- Piece 1, Deposited Plan 73266, Hundred of Wrenfordsley.
- Allotment 507, Deposited Plan 47651; Allotment 500, Deposited Plan 53874, Hundred of Jenkins.
- Section 123, Hundred of Jenkins.
- Piece 110, Deposited Plan 56246, Hundred of Poynton.
- Allotment 201, Deposited Plan 74635, Hundred of Dudley.
- Sections 458, 511 and 556, Hundred of Dudley.
- Pieces 6 and 7, Deposited Plan 78588, Hundred of Menzies.
- Section 438, Hundred of Menzies.
- Allotments 103, 106 and 109, Deposited Plan 80464, Hundred of Wallanippie.
- Section 95, Hundred of Wallanippie.
- Allotment 529, Filed Plan 55177.
- Sections 631, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689 and 745 all in the Hundred of Melville.
- Sections 702, Hundred of Port Gawler.
- Sections 756, 757 and 771, Hundred of Myponga.
- Section 320 of the Hundred of Yankalilla.
- Section 547 of the Hundred of Tiparra.
- Sections 999, 1086, 1087, 1154, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1246 and 1247, Hundred of Pirie.
- Section 233, Hundred of Baroota.
- Sections 972, 1047, 1209, 1210, 1230, 1231, 1232 and 1233, Hundred of Davenport.
- Pieces 9 and 10, Filed plan 219623, Hundred of Crozier.
- Sections 347, 348 and 349, Hundred of Hutchison.
- Section 189, Hundred of Warrow.
- Section 311, Hundred of Playford.
- Section 245, Hundred of Copley.
- Section 390, Hundred of Way.
- Section 70, Hundred of Poynton.
- Sections 123, 407, 489, 490 and 493 all in the Hundred of Randell.
- Sections 47, 48, 58 and 59, Hundred of Bartlett.
- Deposited Plan 132561; parcel 706, Hundred Moule
Note that: maps showing the location of Marine Park Sanctuary Zones can be found at: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/marineparks/maps-and-coordinates
Further restrictions to hunting on unalienated Crown Land
Open season hunting must not involve the use of any motorised vessel on the waters and adjacent lands of Lake Bonney South East comprising:
- Allotment 1, Deposited Plan 61151; Sections 406, 411, 632 and 633, Hundred of Kongorong
- Allotment 2, Deposited Plan 74030; Allotment 12, Deposited Plan 75893; and Sections 428 and 442, Hundred of Benara
- Allotments 6 and 7, Deposited Plan 24914; Allotment 4, Deposited Plan 73335; and Sections 248, 413 and 449, Hundred of Mayurra
Frequently asked questions
Duck/quail hunting permit application will open prior to the open season.
Please check back for updates.
You can find current wildlife permit fees by permit type.
On any day of the 2026 open season, a maximum bag limit of eight (8) ducks has been set.
Find more information on bag limits and species.
Bag limits are determined each year based on seasonal data including wetland and habitat conditions, climatic forecasts and bird species data. This ensures that any hunting occurring as part of declared open season is as sustainable as possible.
In 2026, bag limits for duck have increased to a maximum daily limit of eight (8) ducks from the previous six (6) limit in 2025. Find details on which species may be hunted during the 2026 open season.
This increase was chosen following seasonal data and surveys which showed higher duck numbers than previous years.
Seasonal data and surveys are undertaken each year to understand wetland and habitat conditions, climatic forecasts and bird species abundance.
The Department for Environment and Water uses this information to provide recommendations on bag limits and appropriate hunting locations that allow the open season to be as sustainable as possible.
The Minister for Climate, Environment and Water uses this information along with stakeholder perspectives, long-term climatic data and any other advice to determine bag limits for the given year.
Yes. In 2024, it became mandatory for duck and quail hunters to submit a hunting survey. This provides accurate information on hunter activity and take.
The survey must be submitted within 30 days of the conclusion of the open season.
You can complete the survey online or manually via email.
Find more information on hunting surveys.
The Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT) is managed nationwide by the Victorian Game Management Authority (GMA) and is designed to ensure that hunters can accurately identify waterfowl.
As of 2025, the WIT can only be completed online. The test remains the same, the only change is that participants must complete the test online instead of in-person.
The online test is viewed as a video, consisting of 22 multiple-choice questions. Applicants have 15 minutes to complete all 22 multiple-choice questions. A species of waterfowl is viewed for approximately five seconds and applicants must select the correct waterbird species and its hunting status before moving to the next question. The online test also includes a mandatory 90-minute training component.
Participants wishing to take the online WIT will need to create a My Game Licence (MyGL) account and complete the online test via the Game Management Authority website: https://licensing.gma.vic.gov.au/
Further information on how to create a MyGL account can be found here: instructions on how to set up a MyGL account - Game Management Authority
A score of 85% or greater is required to obtain a pass (i.e. 57 out of 66), provided that the applicant also correctly identifies all non-game species.
Applicants who complete the test will receive an email to their nominated email address with their test results. A copy of the test results must be retained as evidence that a WIT has been completed and must be provided to the relevant authority within 5 business days if requested to do so. Please note that test results will no longer include a WIT number. The results will include a grade only.
To discuss your WIT results, contact the Game Management Authority on 136 186.
Applicants simply need to tick a box to state that they have successfully completed the WIT, have obtained the relevant grade for hunting in SA and are able to provide evidence of this to the relevant authority within 5 business days, if requested to do so.
The Game Management Authority do not currently offer an alternative manual option for individuals who do not have access to the internet.
If you need assistance, we encourage you to reach out to a friend or family member who can assist with internet access, contact your local hunting organisation or attend your local library.
Participants can complete the test as many times as required to obtain a pass grade at no additional cost.
The WIT only needs to be completed once. Hunters who are applying for an open season hunting permit in SA are not required to pass the test again, unless required to do so. This may happen if a hunter is convicted of shooting non-game birds.
It is acknowledged that whilst not everyone is supportive of native bird hunting, it is regulated to ensure that hunting is done in a humane and sustainable way.
In determining the conditions for native bird hunting in South Australia, the Department for Environment and Water assesses climate data and forecasts, landscape and wetland condition, and waterfowl abundance.
The potential impacts of hunting activities on the conservation and sustainability of waterfowl populations and stakeholder feedback are also considered as part of the assessment process.
Contact us
For more information about duck hunting, please contact the Fauna Permits Unit.
Please note, duck/quail hunting permits are not currently available. This page will be updated when permit applications open.
