Donald district lake re-opens to hunting

Brown’s Lake near Donald has re-opened for the 2018 duck-hunting season.

Brown’s Lake was previously closed to hunting from the start of the 2018 duck-hunting season to protect significant numbers of endangered freckled duck.

Regular monitoring of the reserve by the Game Management Authority, GMA, and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has confirmed that freckled duck have left the lake.

Authority chief executive Greg Hyams said surveying bird numbers and closing or re-opening wetlands where appropriate helped ensure hunting in Victoria was sustainable and responsible.

He said the hunting season closed half an hour after sunset on June 11.

“Government officials will continue to monitor other closed wetlands throughout the season,” Mr Hyams said.

“If the reason for the closure no longer exists, they will be recommended to be reopened for hunting.”

Hunters are reminded to check for any closures before they depart for their hunt.

Full details of all wetland closures are available online at www.gma.vic.gov.au or the Victorian Government Gazette.

Mr Hyams said authorities would continue to work to ensure hunters acted in a safe and responsible manner.

He urged hunters and the general public to report any illegal hunting to the GMA through its website www.gma. vic.gov.au or the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or Victoria Police.

Details about the 2018 duck season, including fact sheets in various languages and information about any wetland closures and re-openings throughout the season are available on the GMA website.