A range of popular, licensed recreational hunting activities are available in Victoria.
The department plays a coordination and policy role for game hunting, working closely with the Game Management Authority (GMA), the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), and Parks Victoria.
The Game Management Authority (GMA) regulates game hunting in Victoria. Visit the GMA website for all information regarding how, where and when to hunt game legally in Victoria.
For game licence enquiries, please visit the GMA's Licensing page or call the GMA Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.
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2025 Duck Season
The 2025 duck hunting season arrangements have been announced.
For more information on the arrangements, visit the GMA website or the duck and stubble quail page on this website.
Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy
The Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy has been developed by DJSIR following consultation with key stakeholders. It details how the recreational harvest of game ducks in Victoria will be planned and regulated to ensure it is sustainable.
The strategy provides the policy framework to implement the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) process to inform the daily bag limit for Victoria’s annual duck season from this year.
DJSIR will lead a review of the harvest strategy to ensure it is fit for purpose after three years and every five years thereafter.
- Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy (PDF 807.51 KB)
- Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy (DOCX 1107.39 KB)
Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan
The Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan presents a range of actions to reduce wounding in duck hunting.
Every duck hunter has a responsibility to actively reduce wounding by improving and maintaining their shooting and hunting skills and eliminating behaviours that contribute to wounding.
Game Hunting Regulations
New recreational game hunting regulations are now in place. The Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024 were introduced on 7 September 2024, replacing the Wildlife (Game) Interim Regulations 2023.
The new regulations make important changes to:
- improve safety and responsibility
- support sustainable game populations
- improve environment and wildlife protections.
A summary of the changes made in the new regulations is available on the Game Hunting Regulations page.
For more information on the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024, please read the:
- Frequently Asked Questions Wildlife (Game) Regulation 2024 (PDF 282.93 KB)
- Frequently Asked Questions Wildlife (Game) Regulation 2024 (DOCX 149.46 KB)
Victoria's recreational duck and stubble quail hunting arrangements
On 29 January 2024, the Victorian Government announced its response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Victoria's Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements.
Recreational duck and quail hunting will continue in Victoria – with important changes to ensure it remains safe, sustainable and responsible.
Sustainable Hunting Grants
Funded through the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021-2024, these grants are helping promote responsible, safe and sustainable game hunting practices.
A full list of grant recipients is available at the Sustainable Hunting Grants page.
Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021-2024
The Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021-2024 has delivered new programs to support safe, responsible and sustainable hunting across the state.
Traditional Owner Game Management Strategy
The development of the Traditional Owner Game Management Strategy Traditional Owner Game Management Strategy.pdf (PDF 1884.82 KB) was led by the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations in collaboration with Traditional Owners and Victorian Government agencies. The implementation of the Traditional Owner Game Management Strategy remains ongoing.
Economic contribution of recreational hunting in Victoria
Research estimates recreational hunting was worth $356 million to the Victorian economy in 2019.
Page last updated: 14 February 2025