The Game Management Authority has released the Estimates of Duck and Stubble Quail Harvest in Victoria 2023 report.
The report provides estimates of the total harvests of ducks and stubble quail by Victorian game licence holders and provides insights on hunting activity during the seasons.
The 2023 duck and quail hunting seasons were reduced in length to five weeks and the duck daily bag limit was reduced to four birds.
Results show an estimated 319,900 game ducks were harvested in 2023. This is in line with the long-term average of 320,000.
The three most commonly harvested species were the Pacific black duck (45 per cent of the total numbers), grey teal (29 per cent) and Australian wood duck (18 per cent).
Of the 21,959 licensed duck hunters, 65 per cent actively hunted in 2023. On average, active duck hunters took an estimated 22.7 ducks over an average of 7.1 days.
The most popular hunting areas were around the towns of Sale, Kerang, Horsham, Geelong and Echuca. The highest number of ducks taken were around the towns of Kerang, Sale, Horsham, Echuca and Geelong.
Results also show an estimated 302,824 stubble quail were harvested in 2023. This is double the long-term average of 149,000.
Of the 26,627 hunters licensed to hunt stubble quail, 18 per cent actively hunted in 2023. On average, active quail hunters took an estimated 63.6 stubble quail over 5.7 days.
The most popular quail hunting areas were around the towns of Kerang, Donald, Shepparton, Geelong and Rochester. The highest number of quail harvested were around the towns of Shepparton, Wycheproof, Rochester, Kerang and Geelong.
In 2023, there were 26,627 hunters licensed to hunt ducks and stubble quail.
Hunters licensed to hunt ducks (21,959) are automatically permitted to hunt stubble quail with their duck licence. This does not necessarily mean all duck hunters intend to hunt quail. In 2023, there were 4668 hunters licensed to hunt stubble quail only.
GMA strategy and research director Simon Toop said the research was based on information gathered from randomly selected licensed game bird hunters who voluntarily participated in the phone surveys.
“Throughout 2023, approximately 2920 licensed game bird hunters were surveyed to collect information about their hunting activity, including how many game birds were harvested, where hunting occurred, hunting methods used, and the species of game birds harvested” Mr Toop said.
“The information hunters provide helps build a stronger understanding of game bird harvest trends and hunting activity in Victoria.”
The report is produced annually by the GMA in collaboration with the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research.
For a full copy of the report, visit: gma.vic.gov.au