The closures are to prevent disturbance to significant numbers of threatened birds. A total of eight wetlands will be closed, including three others that are routinely closed each year to reinforce their wildlife sanctuary status.
The wetlands to be closed are Tower Hill State Game Reserve (13km north-west of Warrnambool); Bryan Swamp State Game Reserve, north-west of Dunkeld; Green Swamp State Game Reserve, near Glenthompson; Lake Wongan State Game Reserve, north-east of Streatham; and Lake Muirhead State Game Reserve north-west of Willaura.
The wetlands are sites where threatened Victorian species of the Brolga are currently flocking; at Lake Wongan, Lake Muirhead and Green Swamp. Flocking is where birds gather in large numbers to feed, roost and form breeding pairs. Any disturbance during this sensitive period could impact the Brolga’s ability to breed successfully and the overall recovery of the species.
The three wetlands that are routinely closed to reinforce their status as wildlife sanctuaries where game hunting is prohibited, are Kow Swamp, near Gunbower, Reedy Lakes (Reedy, Middle and Third Lake) at Kerang and Richardson River at Lake Buloke.
Signage will be installed at these wetlands to alert hunters to the closures. These wetlands will be monitored throughout the season.
Closing wetlands or regulating hunting methods at wetlands ensures that threatened species are protected and duck hunting remains sustainable.
Other wetlands may be closed or further regulated if significant concentrations of rare or threatened species are found. Hunters should regularly check the GMA website for updates to wetland closures.
Hunters are reminded that the daily bag limit is four game ducks per person per day. Start times are 8am from Wednesday, March 16, to Sunday, March 20 (inclusive).
From Monday, March 21, hunting times will revert to the standard period of half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset until the season ends on Monday, June 13.
The blue-winged shoveler and hardhead are prohibited from being hunted this season.
GMA game officers, Victoria Police and authorised officers from DELWP, DJPR, Victorian Fisheries Authority and Parks Victoria will continue to patrol wetlands across Victoria to ensure hunters and protestors act in a safe and responsible manner.
For more information on wetland closures, visit gma.vic.gov.au
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