Setting the Record Straight: The 2025 Duck Season is Not “Extended”

Don’t be misled by the headlines – the 2025 Victorian duck hunting season has NOT been “extended” beyond normal. It’s simply back to the standard season length defined by law. Here are the facts:

Season Dates are Normal: The 2025 season runs from 19 March to 9 June – exactly the usual length (83 days) set out in Victoria’s Wildlife (Game) Regulations – There’s nothing sneaky here – we’re just returning to the regular schedule.

Within Legal Limits: Both the season length and the daily bag limit (9 ducks per day) are within the legislated limits for duck hunting Calling this an “extended” season is flat-out wrong – it’s business as usual under the law. The only thing that’s extended is the truth being stretched by anti-duck hunting activists.

What Was Actually Announced: Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos confirmed the standard season dates and an increase to 9 ducks per day (up from 6 last year). He also rolled out new measures like an 8:00am start for the first 5 days and mandatory training for new hunters (including waterfowl ID and cultural awareness). The Minister was crystal clear: “Duck hunting is a legitimate activity and we’re making sure it can continue sustainably and responsibly, backed by science. In other words, the government is sticking to evidence-based management, not arbitrary changes.

Science-Backed and Sustainable: 2025 is the first year Victoria is using an Adaptive Harvest Model to guide duck season settings – meaning decisions are driven by wildlife data. The Blue-winged Shoveler remains off-limits to protect its population, and toxic lead shot is banned for quail hunt. Far from being “reckless,” this season’s rules were crafted with input from scientists and experts to ensure sustainability.

Don’t Buy the Misinformation: Some anti-hunting groups are shouting about an “extended massacre” of “400,000” . Here’s the truth: in a typical year around 320,000 ducks are harvested which is sustainable given Victoria’s duck population of roughly 7 million. That’s about 4–5% of the population, managed under strict regulations. There is no conservation crisis caused by this season. Sensational claims of a “slaughter” are designed to scare people, but they ignore the robust duck numbers and the careful monitoring in place each year.

Standing Up for Hunters: Duck hunters in Victoria follow the rules, care about the environment, and have every right to continue our traditions. Our season is highly regulated (with wardens patrolling and wetlands closed and it supports thousands of Victorians and regional businesses.  We’re proud that this year’s full-length season is backed by science and law, not politics. Hunters, hold your heads high – 2025 is our normal season, and we’ll do it safely and responsibly, as we always have.