2026 duck season compliance update

Authorised Officers from the GMA, Victoria Police and partner agencies are patrolling wetlands, creeks, rivers and lakes on private and public land across Victoria to ensure duck hunting remains responsible and sustainable.

Authorised Officers from the GMA, Victoria Police and partner agencies are patrolling wetlands, creeks, rivers and lakes on private and public land across Victoria to ensure duck hunting remains responsible and sustainable.

For the first five days of the 2026 duck season, from 18 March – 23 March 2026, more than 100 Authorised Officers patrolled 226 wetlands and waterways.

Authorised Officers checked 1,361 Game Licences and inspected 870 hunters’ bags.

Of the hunters’ bags checked by Authorised Officers, no hunters had over-bagged.

Over the first five days of the season, a number of breaches to game hunting laws were detected. No infringements were issued for breaches of public safety laws.

The three main detected offences (in descending order) were using or being in possession of toxic-shot, failing to retain a wing on a bird and having an invalid or expired Game Licence.

Summary of preliminary 2026 duck season compliance data from 18 – 23 March 2026

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 at Report Illegal hunting and illegal protester activity or by calling 136 186.

Media contact: Nick Foster M: 0417 293 365