RSPCA Victoria is extremely disappointed the Victorian Government has announced the 2026 duck hunting season with only a minor modification.

This announcement comes despite a 46% increase in ducks shot in 2025 compared to the long-term average¹, continuing long-term population declines of hunted duck species², and a devastating bushfire season preceded by enduring drought conditions in the state.

RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker said in the wake of devastating bushfires across Victoria and data indicating some native duck populations are continuing to decline, the Government needs to urgently ensure duck welfare is protected and, at minimum, mandate proficiency testing at every licence renewal for all hunters, including those who already hold licences.

“Our state has been ravaged by fire and extreme weather events, and we’ve seen Victorians respond with great care and concern towards wildlife – particularly the thousands of species injured by the recent bushfires,” Dr Walker said.

“It’s perverse to then allow an activity where up to an estimated 190,000 ducks will be wounded and left to suffer.”

The 2025 Eastern Australia Waterbird Aerial Survey found five game species of ducks (Australasian Shoveller, Chestnut Teal, Mountain Duck, Pink-eared Duck and Wood Duck) had abundances well below their long-term averages.

The 2025 Game Bird Harvest Report estimated hunters harvested 487,800¹ ducks last year – this means up to 195,120 ducks were wounded without being killed outright.

States such as Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia all banned native bird hunting up to three decades ago with people still enjoying the great outdoors, and calls for a duck hunting ban in Victoria have grown louder every year, with independent research indicating two in three people across the state (66%) oppose it.

“RSPCA Victoria will continue to call for an end to duck hunting, but while it is still occurring in this state, improved testing and training must be prioritised to reduce the unacceptably high rates of wounding,” Dr Walker said.

RSPCA Victoria is calling for the following changes to duck hunting in Victoria:

1. Mandatory practical proficiency testing of all hunters, at every license renewal
2. Require theory testing at every license renewal and not just as a once off
3. Regulation of maximum distances from which birds can be shot

RSPCA is opposed to the recreational hunting of ducks and quail as it causes unnecessary injury, pain, suffering, distress or death to the animals involved.

For more information, visit RSPCA Knowledgebase here.