Favourable conditions mark return to a standard Victorian duck season in 2011

The 2011 Victorian duck hunting season will return to a full 12 weeks, following a year of above average rainfall that has substantially improved environmental conditions.

Executive Director Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Kylie White said, “Significant rainfall over the past 12 months has increased habitat for waterfowl including game bird populations.”

“This in turn has triggered extensive breeding and wide dispersal of waterfowl across Eastern Australia’s wetlands. As a result, Victoria can sustain a return to normal seasonal arrangements in 2011”, Ms White said.

“The 2011 Victorian duck hunting season will run from 19 March 2011 to 13 June 2011, and the normal regulated bag limit will provide adequate protection for game duck populations, based on these favourable environmental conditions.”

“This season, hunters will be allowed 10 game ducks per day, which may include a maximum of two Australasian (blue winged) shovelers.”

“The Victorian Government will continue to work closely with the Victorian Hunting Advisory Committee to ensure that the duck season is safe and sustainable.”

The structure and arrangements of the 2011 duck season are based on regular monitoring and on-site assessment of waterfowl and the environment.

DSE will work in partnership with hunting organisations to ensure adequate information about the current hunting arrangements and regulations, including season dates and bag limits, are provided to hunters.

For more information, call the Department of Sustainability and Environment Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit www.dse.vic.gov.au

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