Details have been announced for the Northern Territory Waterfowl Season which commences Wednesday, 25 September 2019 and ends on Monday, 6 January 2020.
Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Eva Lawler said the Territory Labor Government is ensuring that the declared annual waterfowl season is sustainable for the long-term benefit of all, including hunters, residents, tourists and tourism operators.
An aerial survey across the Top End’s floodplains in May this year, has estimated the 2019 magpie goose population as 1.48 million, double what it was two years ago.
The Northern Territory Government is currently reviewing the Management Plan in consultation with key groups including recreational hunters, with the new plan to be in place prior to the next hunting season to ensure harvests continue to be sustainable.
Field & Game Australia has made several representations to the NT Government in recent months,
“We will continue to work closely with recreational hunters, residents and tourism operators to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the Territory’s waterfowl population," Minister Lawler said.
The season details are as follows;
Daily bag limit
During the declared season the limit for magpie geese is seven birds per person, per day.
The daily bag limit for other listed waterfowl is 10 birds per person, per day.
The maximum allowable number of dead animals in a person's possession is as follows:
- away from the person's place of residence is 21 magpie geese and 30 other listed birds
- at the person's place of residence, the number is unlimited.
Hunting hours
You can only shoot during certain hours of each day:
- September - 6am to 7pm
- October - 6am to 7pm
- November - 5:45am to 7:15pm
- December - 5:45am to 7:30pm
- January - 6am to 7:30pm.
Closing dates
The hunting season closes on the following dates:
Howard Springs Hunting Reserve and Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve - 7:30pm on 23 December 2018.
All other areas including hunting reserves, Crown land and private property - 7:30pm on 6 January 2019.
Animals under this permit
| Scientific name | Common name |
|---|---|
| Anseranas semipalmata | Magpie goose |
| Anas superciliosa | Pacific black duck |
| Anas gracilis | Grey teal |
| Aythya australis | Hardhead duck (also known as white-eyed duck) |
| Chenonetta jubata | Maned duck (also known as wood duck) |
| Dendrocygna arcuata | Wandering whistling duck (also known as water whistle duck) |
| Dendrocygna eytoni | Plumed whistling duck (also known as grass whistle duck) |
| Malacorhynchus membranaceus | Pink-eared duck |
NT Hunting Mate app
You can download the NT Hunting Mate app to access waterfowl hunting rules and information on your phone.
