Game Hunting in Victoria
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.
Contact
The Game Management Authority (GMA) regulates game hunting in Victoria. Visit the GMA website for information on how, where and when to hunt game legally in Victoria.
For game licence enquiries, visit GMA's Licensing page or call the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.
Featured
This page provides a range of publications and resources on recreational hunting in Victoria.
Economic Contribution of Recreational Hunting in Victoria report
The department engaged BDO and Action Market Research to survey Victorian game licence holders as part of a study into the economic contribution of recreational hunting in Victoria.
The report estimates that recreational hunting contributed $559 million to Victoria’s economy and supported 3,703 full-time equivalent jobs in 2025. It also identifies health and wellbeing benefits.
Regional Victoria accounted for more than 70% of the total economic contribution, equivalent to $401.6 million Gross State Product.
This report will help inform government policy, investment decisions and service improvements related to recreational hunting.
Related documents:
- 2025 Economic Contribution and Social Benefits of Recreational Hunting in Victoria Report 2025-Economic-Contribution-and-Social-Benefits-of-Recreational-Hunting-in-Victoria-Report.pdf (PDF 6638.37 KB)
- 2019 Economic Contribution of Recreational Hunting in Victoria Economic contribution of recreational hunting in Victoria (PDF 5565.58 KB)
- 2019 Economic Contribution of Recreational Hunting in Victoria Economic contribution of recreational hunting in Victoria (DOCX 9755.45 KB)
Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy
The Victorian Game Duck Harvest Strategy sets out how recreational game duck harvesting will be planned and regulated to ensure it remains sustainable. It was developed by DJSIR in consultation with key stakeholders.
The strategy provides the policy framework for Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM), which is used to inform the daily bag limit for Victoria’s annual duck season.
DJSIR will review the strategy after 3 years to make sure it remains fit for purpose and then every 5 years after that.
Download the strategy:
- 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)
Related documents:
- Waterfowl AHM Panel Report-Final Waterfowl AHM Panel Report Final (PDF 255.35 KB)
- Response to the Waterfowl Adaptive Harvest Model Expert Panel Report Response to the Waterfowl Adaptive Harvest Model Expert Panel Report (PDF 200.4 KB)
- Conservation and Sustainable Harvest Models for Game Duck Species Conservation and Sustainable Harvest Models for Game Duck Species (PDF 2107.37 KB)
- Conservation and Sustainable Harvest Models for Game Duck Species Conservation and Sustainable Harvest Models for Game Duck Species (DOCX 8722.21 KB)
Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan
The Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan presents actions to reduce wounding in duck hunting. It supports hunters to improve and maintain safe and responsible hunting practices.
Download documents:
- Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan (PDF 4640.51 KB)
- Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan – Progress Report (July 2025) Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan – Progress Report July 2025 (DOCX 70.73 KB)
- Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan - Final Progress Report (April 2026) Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan – Final Progress Report (DOCX 74.19 KB)
Game Hunting Regulations
New recreational game hunting regulations came into effect on 7 September 2024, replacing the Wildlife (Game) Interim Regulations 2023.
Find out more:
Game Hunting Regulations page.
Download documents:
- Frequently Asked Questions Wildlife (Game) Regulation 2024 (PDF 282.93 KB)
- Frequently Asked Questions Wildlife (Game) Regulation 2024 (DOCX 149.46 KB)
Inquiry into Victoria’s Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements
On 29 January 2024, the Victorian Government announced its response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Victoria's Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements.
Find out more:
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 was led by the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations in collaboration with Traditional Owners and Victorian Government agencies. Implementation remains ongoing.