After unprecedented delays in making an announcement, the Victorian Government has finally released details for the 2020 duck season. The single positive to come out of the season announcement is that there is a season.
The constant assault on hunters and hunting by the “anti” brigade has not been successful in denying hunters their cultural heritage. However, SSAA Victoria members will be rightly disappointed with the arrangements that have been put in place.
The 2020 season will start at 8am on 2 May and will last five weeks, closing 30 minutes after sunset on Monday 8 June.
Hunters will be restricted to three game ducks per day throughout the season, with the hunting of Blue-winged Shoveler prohibited for the entire season.
During the opening weekend, hunting can start at 8am on both days and must cease by 30 minutes after sunset.
The Association advocates for sustainable hunting and worked with FGA to make submissions to government on what a sustainable season would be, given the seasonal conditions and outlook at that time. Since then widespread and heavy rainfall across much of eastern Australia has caused flooding in many areas and reinvigorated huge areas of duck habitat.
The Association considers the five-week length of the season and the three-bird bag limit announced today to be unnecessary and overly precautionary.
The unnecessarily harsh reduction in season length and bag limits will leave hunters wondering whether they are getting value for their game licence dollars. Is government considering a partial refund for duck licence holders?
Hunters inject tens of millions of dollars into regional communities every year, but many will also be wondering whether the cost of their hunting trips is money well spent when they will not even get a family sized meal out of their daily bag limit.
SSAA Victoria encourages members to make the best of the situation. Visit regional areas, not just over opening weekend but over the entire season. Enjoy spending time with family and friends and make the most of the hunting opportunities you have.
