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Duck Season 2005: Time Running Out To Get A Licence

Victorian duck hunters without a valid Game Licence for duck hunting will need to be quick if they want to participate on opening day, which is now just over two weeks away. The season opens on Saturday 19 March.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 2nd March 2005 - Back to News

Time is running out for hunters who still need to apply for a valid Victorian Game Licence, and anyone found hunting ducks without a Game Licence to do so will face stiff penalties.

Before being eligible to apply for a Game Licence to hunt ducks, hunters must first pass the Waterfowl Identification Test.

Jeremy Aitken, Wildlife Officer with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) said that taking into account study time, an appointment to sit the test and a week to get results, this does not leave much time for hunters to pass the Waterfowl Identification Test.

"The test takes about 30-45 minutes and is a one-off, so even if you need to renew your licence, you won’t need to re-sit the test if you have previously passed it," Mr Aitken said.

The Waterfowl Identification Test requires hunters to recognise game birds and protected species while they are in flight, which ensures that hunters avoid accidentally shooting protected species.

Those who have not previously passed the Waterfowl Identification Test will have to sit this test before a licence can be issued.

Conditions for waterfowl have improved this year compared to last year’s dry conditions and changes to regulations and limits have been made accordingly:

• The season finishes on Monday 13 June 2005.
• The bag limit is five birds per day.
• An additional five Wood Duck may be taken on each day of the opening weekend.
• The Blue-winged Shoveler is fully protected this season.

The protection of the Blue-winged Shoveler is in response to a low population from poor breeding results experienced over many years of dry conditions. This bird prefers to breed in certain wetland types, which are not as prolific this year as other years.

Hunters can be convicted and fined up to $5,000, have their gun forfeited and game licence suspended if they are found shooting protected wildlife.

The full list of wetlands available for hunting this year will be available in the few days prior to the season opening and will be publicised in local newspapers.

Anyone yet to renew their licence is encouraged to send in their renewal notice as soon as possible to DSE.

If people are unsure where they can hunt, they are encouraged to call the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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