Of the 21,383 licensed duck hunters in the state, the Game Management Authority says 60 per cent actively hunted in 2024.
There was an increase of 22 per cent above the long-term average of ducks hunted in Victoria in 2024.
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The Game Management Authority’s Estimates of Duck and Stubble Quail Harvest in Victoria 2024 report says an estimated 391,900 game ducks were harvested in 2024, above the long-term average of 320,000.
Of the 21,383 licensed duck hunters in the state, 60 per cent actively hunted in 2024.
On average, active duck hunters took an estimated 30.3 ducks during the season over an average of 8.9 days.
The three most commonly shot species were the Pacific black duck (39 per cent of the total harvest), grey teal (25 per cent) and Australian wood duck (24 per cent).
The most popular hunting areas, with the highest numbers of ducks harvested, were around the towns of Sale, Kerang, Boort, Horsham and Shepparton.
The Game Management Authority has released the duck hunting statistics for 2024.
Results also show an estimated 457,400 stubble quail were taken by hunters in 2024.
This is almost triple the long-term average of 159,000 and is the second largest stubble quail harvest since telephone surveys began in 2009.
Of the 25,788 hunters licensed to hunt stubble quail, 22 per cent actively hunted in 2024. On average, active quail hunters harvested an estimated 79.4 stubble quail for the season over 8.5 days.
The most popular quail hunting areas were around the towns of Shepparton, Echuca, Rochester, Ballarat and Colac.
The highest number of quail harvested were around the towns of Shepparton, Ballarat, Echuca, Rochester and Wangaratta.
The Game Management Authority has released the quail hunting statistics for 2024.
Game Management Authority strategy and research director Simon Toop said the research was based on information gathered from randomly selected licensed game bird hunters who voluntarily participated in the surveys.
“Favourable environmental and breeding conditions and more active hunters likely resulted in an increase in the number of ducks and quail harvested,” Mr Toop said.
“The information hunters provide helps build a stronger understanding of game bird harvest trends and hunting activity in Victoria and I’d like to thank all hunters who participated in the surveys.”
Throughout 2024, about 3458 licensed game bird hunters were surveyed to collect information about their hunting activity, including how many game birds were harvested, where hunting occurred, hunting methods used and the species of game birds harvested.
The report provides estimates of the total harvests of ducks and stubble quail by Victorian Game Licence holders and provides insights on hunting activity during the seasons.
The report is produced annually by the GMA in collaboration with an independent telephone survey company and the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research.
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