Field & Game Australia acknowledges the announcement of South Australia’s 2026 hunting season, which provides continued opportunities for hunters to participate in a long-established and sustainable activity. It is encouraging to see the bag limit lifted from 6 to 8, also great to see the Australian Shelduck restriction of 2 only last year removed.

However, there is still work to be done with species off the huntable list (Blue Winged Shoveler, Pink Eared Duck and Hardhead).

It’s also positive to see the Quail season extended.

Key details for the 2026 season are as follows:

• Duck Season: 21 March–28 June, operating from sunrise to sunset, with a daily bag limit of six ducks (including a maximum of two Shelducks)
• Exclusions: exclusion of Hardhead and Pink-eared Duck and Blue Winged Shoveler.
• Quail Season: 25 April–2 August, operating from sunrise to sunset, with a daily bag limit of 15 quail

Field & Game Australia encourages DEW and the government to continue working toward evidence-based policies and adaptive wildlife management approaches to support the long-term sustainability of hunting.

SA Government Gazette - Announcement