2025 Duck season compliance summary

During the 2025 duck season, the Game Management Authority (GMA) conducted 606 waterway and wetland patrols on private and public land across Victoria.

During the 2025 duck season, the Game Management Authority (GMA) conducted 606 waterway and wetland patrols on private and public land across Victoria.

Authorised Officers checked 1,849 Game Licences and inspected 1,649 hunter bags.

A total of 48 offences were detected throughout the 2025 duck season. Five Official Warnings and 31 infringement notices will be issued. GMA also suspended 17 Game Licences and is conducting 12 investigations related to these matters.

Thirty-six hunting related offences were detected, with the main offence themes being in possession of toxic shot, failing to leave a wing attached and having an invalid Game Licence.

Twelve protestor related offences were detected, with the primary offence being breaching public safety laws. As a result, the GMA issued four Banning Notices.

The GMA worked in partnership with Victoria Police, Parks Victoria, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Transport Safety Victoria, and NSW Department of Primary Industries to regulate the 2025 duck season.

The GMA uses a range of sanctions to deter illegal hunting and illegal protestor activity, such as official warnings, infringement notices and licence suspensions and cancellations. Some offences may also be prosecuted in court. Any sanctions imposed as a consequence of court proceedings are at the discretion of the courts.

For more information on sanctions to deter illegal hunting and enforce the law, visit Enforcement Actions.

People are urged to report illegal hunting and illegal protester activity online or by calling 136 186.

Contact: Nick Foster | 0417 293 365 | nick.foster@gma.vic.gov.au