Field & Game Australia Response to the South Australian Season

Field & Game Australia Response to the Gazetted South Australian Hunting Season

Field & Game Australia welcomes the announcement of the 2025 hunting season in South Australia, recognizing that it provides hunters with an opportunity to continue their longstanding and sustainable tradition. However, we are disappointed in the South Australian Government and the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) for implementing restrictions that appear more reflective of ideological influence than sound scientific evidence.

It is concerning that DEW and the government continue to align their policies with anti-hunting sentiment, despite robust evidence demonstrating the environmental, economic, and conservation benefits of regulated hunting. While progressive states like Victoria are moving toward evidence-based wildlife management, South Australia has opted for a path that undermines the principles of sustainable hunting and adaptive management.

Key Season parameters for the 2025 SA Duck Hunting Season:

• Season Dates: 22 March 2025 to 29 June 2025
• Daily start/finish times: Sunrise and Sunset.
• Bag Limits: A daily limit of six ducks, with no more than two Australian Shelducks (Mountain Ducks) per day.
• Species Allowed: Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Australian Shelduck, and Maned Duck (Wood Duck).
• Excluded game species: Pink Eared Duck, Hardhead and Blue Wing Shoveler
• Area Restrictions:
• Game reserves like Chowilla, Moorook, and Loch Luna have restricted dates, with intermittent openings over the season.
• Specific zones within reserves are further excluded for safety reasons.

Key Restrictions for the Stubble Quail Hunting Season:

• Season Dates: 26 April 2025 to 27 July 2025, sunrise to sunset.
• Bag Limits: Daily limit of 15 quail.
• Area Restrictions: Similar exclusions apply as for the duck season.

While the gazetted seasons allow for some hunting, the narrow windows, reduced bag limits, and extensive area exclusions significantly impact hunters’ ability to participate effectively. These measures disregard the vital role hunters play in conservation and the economic contributions they bring to regional communities.

Call for Science-Based Policy

Field & Game Australia strongly urges the South Australian Government and DEW to reassess their approach to hunting regulations. Decisions about hunting seasons should be guided by credible scientific data and grounded in the principles of adaptive management. Properly regulated hunting is a proven tool for maintaining ecological balance, supporting conservation efforts, and fostering economic benefits in regional areas.

Field & Game Australia remains committed to working constructively with the South Australian Government, DEW, and other stakeholders to develop fair and informed policies that balance the needs of wildlife management with the rights and contributions of hunters. By adopting a collaborative and evidence-driven approach, we can ensure sustainable hunting practices that benefit all.

https://www.governmentgazette.sa.gov.au/