GMA data shows hunters lead by example, while activists continue to flout the law
The Game Management Authority has released its compliance data for Victoria’s 2025 duck season, and once again, licensed hunters have shown that they take their responsibilities seriously.
Despite some early challenges, including late bag limit announcements and temporary wetland closures, hunters made the most of a well-managed, sustainable season. The Adaptive Harvest Model delivered a robust, evidence-based bag limit, and the fixed season timing, now locked in for the next three years, gave certainty to hunters and regulators alike.
The results speak for themselves:
- Zero hunters were detected exceeding the prescribed bag limit.
- Just 36 hunting-related offences were recorded across 606 wetland patrols.
- GMA officers inspected 1,849 licences and 1,649 bags, finding overwhelmingly strong compliance.
Most offences were relatively minor and related to possession of toxic shot, not leaving a wing attached, or having an invalid Game Licence.
In contrast, twelve anti-hunting activists were charged during the same period. When compared to the thousands of licensed hunters who participated lawfully, the contrast is stark. For hunters, obeying the law is the standard practice. For the animal rights crowd, breaking it is apparently a badge of honour.
While no level of non-compliance is ever acceptable, SSAA Victoria is proud of the outstanding conduct of Victoria’s duck hunters. Once again, they have demonstrated what responsible, ethical hunting looks like and why it deserves continued support from government and the wider community.