Hospital Swamp and Dowd’s Morass Reopen to Hunting – A Win for Integrity and Science

Field & Game Australia is pleased to inform members that Minister Steve Dimopoulos has officially signed off on the Gazette that means Hospital Swamp and the relevant section of Dowd’s Morass will be officially reopened to hunting, following the expiry of the closure notice gazetted on Tuesday, 15 April 2025.
We have had confirmation from Government and the GMA that this means hunting can resume on these wetlands at 30 minutes before LOCAL Sunrise on Friday 18^th April!

Legal Hunting Times – Friday, 18th April 2025

• Hospital Swamp (Geelong area): Legal hunting from 6:23 AM
• Dowd’s Morass (Sale area): Legal hunting from 6:12 AM

For more information read here (link to below on website)

Thank you to all who contributed to this outcome.

Hospital Swamp and Dowd’s Morass Reopen to Hunting – A Win for Integrity and Science

What’s Happened – and Why It Matters

In recent years, the process of wetland assessment and management has increasingly — and unfortunately — come to be referred to as a “closures process”. That terminology, and the framing behind it, was never the intent. The goal was always responsible, science-based management of sites in real-time — with flexibility to adjust based on habitat condition, bird presence, and seasonal change.

Yet, what began as an adaptive framework has been cynically weaponised by anti-hunting activists. Rather than treating wetland closures as a last resort, their approach has pushed for blanket exclusions — using a fear-based narrative of “disturbance” and speculative harm to non-game species as justification, often without adequate science.

This misinformation — particularly about species like the White Bellied Sea Eagle and Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) — has taken root in media commentary, department briefing notes, and activist lobbying. We have seen terms like "potential disturbance" wielded as if they were equivalent to harm — despite a complete absence of demonstrated risk in many cases.

Standing Up, Pushing Back

Despite these headwinds, Field & Game Australia and other hunting organisations have remained at the table — not to appease, but to hold the process accountable, and to ensure the principles of sustainable use, integrity, and factual science are not lost.

These reopening’s — Dowd’s Morass and Hospital Swamp — are testament to that.

Dowd’s Morass

This was a relatively straightforward case. A closure was enacted due to nesting Pied Cormorants. FGA members on the ground monitored the site daily, respectfully observing as the birds raised their young and departed. As soon as it was clear that nesting had ceased and fledglings had left, our members promptly advised authorities.

We applaud the Game Management Authority (GMA) for their swift action in responding with formal site assessment and recommending to the minister that they lift the closure shortly thereafter. This is exactly how the system should work — hunters, scientists, and managers working together in real-time.

Hospital Swamp – A Harder Battle

The story here was longer, and more frustrating.

Initially closed due to the presence of Blue-winged Shoveler, we were assured that once bird counts confirmed thresholds were not exceeded, the site would re-open. And indeed, official counts soon confirmed that Blue-wing numbers were well under threshold. Yet no reopening followed.

Why?

Despite the science, internal resistance emerged from certain departmental figures, pushing to maintain the closure. The reasoning shifted — now citing potential issues for non-target species like the OBP, despite no credible data suggesting risk. FGA raised this with senior decision-makers and made it clear: we will not stand for shifting goalposts, ideological interference, or pseudoscience.

Other Wetlands

There are several other wetlands where FGA is aware that the original trigger point populations are either reducing or likely to completely disappear in coming days/weeks.

We are eternally grateful to out members who monitor and confirm wetland conditions all over the state, and as we become aware of changes, we will not hesitate to raise them appropriately, and have them re-opened as well.

Outcome

In spite of the delays, the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Steve Dimopoulos, remained true to his word. Following direct engagement, the Minister instructed the closure to be lifted. We commend him for standing firm in support of:

• Science-led decisions
• Adaptive management
• The legitimacy of hunting as a sustainable use of natural resources

We hope that this is a signal of things to come — a recommitment to policy based on evidence, not ideology.

Appendix – Opening Effect Interpretation

FGA Member Advice – Hospital Swamp and Dowd’s Morass Reopening time

Effective Date: Friday, 18 April 2025

While there has been some contention around the legal interpretation of “three days after” in the context of the gazettal process, both the Victorian Government and the Game Management Authority (GMA) have confirmed that the closures at Hospital Swamp and Dowd’s Morass will cease at midnight on Friday, 18 April 2025.

Accordingly, hunting is permitted from first legal light on Friday, 18 April.

Legal Commencement of Hunting – Sunrise Times

Under the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024, legal hunting may commence 30 minutes before sunrise at your specific location.

As sunrise times vary across the state, members must check their local conditions. For example:

• Hospital Swamp (Geelong area):
  Sunrise: 6:53 AM → Legal hunting from 6:23 AM
• Dowd’s Morass (Sale area):
  Sunrise: 6:42 AM → Legal hunting from 6:12 AM