General News
24 March, 2026
Season opens, ban bid waits
DUCK hunters started filtering into the Boort district at the weekend ahead of yesterday’s opening of the 2026 season.
But they are steering clear of Lake Boort where there is little water and no birds, according to Danny Ryan of the Victorian Duck Hunters’ Association.
He expects most hunters will focus on Lake Leaghur and the Merran lakes to shoot their daily bag of nine ducks.
The opening of the new season comes as an application to ban duck shooting on Lake Boort progresses through bureaucratic processes before a decision is made by the Federal Government.
Aboriginal activist and First Peoples Assembly metropolitan member Gary Murray had applied for a total ban from the 2026 season under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.
Final review of submissions finished earlier this month and a report will be made to the Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt.
Loddon Shire Council has opposed the application with support for Mr Murray’s bid coming from cultural and anti-duck shooting groups.
Kerrie Allen, of Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting, on Monday criticised the State Government for only closing 10 public waterways to shooters this season, saying it was the “smallest number in years” and questioning the duck number modelling. “Only 100,000 ducks were counted this year – a figure rounded up to an incredible 4.9 million using a model criticized by scientists, to justify a shoot,” she said.
“The best available science shows all “game” duck species’ numbers are below long-term average and not observed to be breeding. We’ve just had one of the hottest, driest seasons on record and many waterways are dry. Waterbirds will be congregating in the few areas of suitable habitat they can find – literally sitting ducks for shooters. That’s not sport.”
Of particular concern is the little native Pink-eared Duck permitted to be shot, said Ms Allen. “Other states are protecting it due to its particularly low numbers. The regulator’s own modelling shows at least a third of its population may be about to be wiped off the face of Victoria.”
Mr Ryan said shooter numbers in the Loddon would again include multi-generational families.
“They will be responsible and engaging in sustainable hunting over the season,” he said.
“For many local businesses, there will again be the opportunity to share in economic benefits.”
Mr Ryan predicted a strong presence of hunters in the Dingee district and along creeks and rivers across the Loddon Shire this weekend.