A TRIPLING of the number of quails taken in last years hunting season has drawn criticism from animal protection lobbyists after the GMA released its harvest estimates report for last year's duck hunting season. Results show an estimated 391,900 game ducks were harvested in 2024, which is 22 per cent above the long-term average of 320,000. Of the 21,383 licensed duck hunters, 60 per cent hunted in 2024, with active duck hunters harvesting an estimated 30.3 ducks during the season over an average of 8.9 days per hunter. The three most commonly harvested species were the Pacific Black Duck (39 per cent of 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. Results also show an estimated 457,400 Stubble Quail were harvested in 2024, which 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, harvesting on average an estimated 79.4 birds for the season over 8.5 days per hunter. The most popular quail hunting areas and locations of highest harvest were around the towns of Shepparton, Echuca, Rochester, Ballarat, and Colac. GMA Director of Strategy and Research, 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 gamebird harvest trends and hunting activity in Victoria." Long time anti-hunting lobbyist Laurie Levy said it was 'impossible' to count quail. "They should be taken off the hit list," Mr Levy said. "The government has no idea how many birds are actually shot." Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting said in a statement the GMA had failed to state that it did not know the numbers of Stubble Quail in the wild and that the survey methods lacked scientific understanding. "There have only been two counts...with the second showing an alarming 20 per cent drop in just 12 months," the statement said. "Notably the counts use a controversial N-Mixture modelling, rounding up a few hundred birds actually counted, to an extrapolated estimate of millions." "To allow quail shooting in its current form is negligent from a sustainability perspective." Field and Game (F&G) Australia CEO Lucas Cooke said the report's figures indicated sustainability of bird numbers. “The number harvested were well and truly under what the science says it is sustainable,” Mr Cooke said. "Many hunters were active and making the effort to hunt in a safe, responsible, and ethical manner, and we are encouraged to see harvest numbers pretty high and a lot hunters making the most of it." Mr Cooke said the higher quail numbers could be a result of ‘something not right’ with the survey method, but were most likely due to a boom in the quail population. “You can’t harvest a lot a birds unless they are there,” Mr Cooke said. “We didn’t do anything magic, nor use heat seeking missiles to wipe them out; we were simply hunting with the methods we have always used. “It’s indicative that there is a larger population.” “And we had lots of hunters taking home that great food resource and fed their families with it.” Changes to the 2025 duck hunting season in Victoria will use the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) model to determine season settings. This science-based model will help ensure the sustainability of duck populations. Changes for 2025 include * Season start date: The season will start on the third Wednesday of March. * Hunting hours: The season will start at 8 AM for the first five days. * Lead shot ban: The use of lead shot will be banned for all game bird hunting, including stubble quail. * Electronic acoustic lures: The use of electronic acoustic lures will be banned for stubble quail. * Hunter education: Hunter education and training will be mandatory. * Compliance levels: Stricter compliance levels will be implemented, including increased penalties for rule breakers. * Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan: This plan will be implemented to reduce the risk of wounding.
