2023 waterfowl hunting season bag limits
The Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security has today announced permitted recreational waterfowl hunting on hunting reserves will commence on Wednesday, 20 September 2023 and end on Monday, 8 January 2024.
The season has a daily bag limit of 7 magpie geese and 10 ducks, per person per day.
An aerial survey across the Top End’s floodplains from the Moyle River to Arnhem Land in April and May this year has estimated the 2023 Magpie Goose population as 1.26million compared to 1.86million magpie geese, which is approximately 32 per cent less than last year’s estimate.
For a population size above 1.25million, a maximum daily bag limit of seven magpie geese is considered sustainable, and moderate breeding means the population should be robust enough to support this take.
All activity related to the Magpie Goose is managed under the "Management Program for the Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) in the Northern Territory of Australia, 2020-2030".
The Management Program ensures the annual waterfowl season is sustainable for the long-term benefit of all, including hunters, residents, tourists, tourism operators and the conservation of the species.
All hunters are required to have a waterfowl hunting permit.
Hunters in possession of a valid waterfowl permit can hunt on:
- Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve, Howard Springs Hunting Reserve, Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve and Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve
- Designated Crown Land provided you also have a permit issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics; and
- Private property (which includes Aboriginal land) if you have the prior written permission of the landholder and can meet the setback conditions under the Firearms Act.
Hunters are reminded that the use of lead shot is prohibited on all Northern Territory Government land including Parks and Wildlife hunting reserves.
The ban is monitored as lead shot residue in wetlands poisons waterfowl which in turn causes health issues for those that eat them. This is part of a national strategy to combat this problem. Not having a permit or a breach of permit conditions may result in legal action being taken.
Permitted waterfowl hunting on private land, primarily for pest mitigation, is set to commence on Monday, 14 August 2023 and also end on 8 January 2024.
Permits are issued from the Parks and Wildlife Permits Office:
- Level 4, Goyder Building, 25 Chung Wah Terrace, Palmerston between the hours of 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
- online at https://nt.gov.au/leisure/hunting-and-shooting/magpie-geese-and-waterfowl-hunting-permits
