Game Hunting Regulations

Supporting safe, sustainable and responsible recreational hunting in Victoria.

The Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024 were introduced on 7 September 2024, replacing the Wildlife (Game) Interim Regulations 2023.

Victorians, peak hunting groups, animal welfare and advocacy groups and traditional owners informed the development of the new regulations.

Find out more

These regulations are made under the Wildlife Act 1975.

A Notice of Decision and Statement of Reasons outlining the changes in the new regulations is available via the Engage Victoria website.

Summary of changes

• Completing the phase out of toxic lead ammunition for all game bird hunting to reduce environmental impacts.
• Opening the duck season on the third Wednesday of March each year instead of the third Saturday of March each year to improve safety.
• Starting hunting at 8am for the first 5 days of the duck season.
• Updating the hours that non-authorised people are prevented from entering specified hunting areas to 11am for the first 5 days of the duck season.
• Updating licensing fees as part of a pricing review.
• Removing requirements to sign a licence and to return a cancelled licence upon change of address.
• Increasing the number of recognised deer habitats to better address illegal spotlighting in those areas to improve safety.
• Enabling the Game Management Authority (GMA) to require a hound to be presented for inspection.
• Permitting deer hunters to use hand-held thermal imaging devices during the daytime and permitting the use of deer decoys for hunting deer to improve animal welfare.
• Banning the use of electronic callers for quail and non-indigenous gamebirds while allowing for their continued use when hunting ducks.
• Maintaining the Blue-Winged Shoveler on the list of game species but with an all-year-round closed season while they remain a threatened species.
• Updating the list of approved dog breeds used in hunting activities.
• Strengthening the regulatory framework for hunting by making administrative improvements and technical changes to the existing regulations.