The daily bag limits for the 2024 waterfowl hunting season will remain at the maximum allowable level for the third year in a row when hunting commences in September.
Recreational waterfowl hunters will be able to bag seven magpie geese and 10 ducks per person per day. The hunting season for most areas will begin on Wednesday, September 25 and conclude on January 6, 2025.
An aerial survey of Top End flood plains from the Moyle River to Arnhem Land was conducted in April to determine the size of the Magpie Geese population. The population is estimated to be 1.33 million.
For a population size above 1.25 million, a maximum daily bag limit of seven magpie geese is considered sustainable.
All activity related to Magpie Geese is managed under the Management Program for the Magpie Goose in the Northern Territory of Australia, 2020-2030.
The Management Program ensures that the annual waterfowl take is sustainable in the long-term and this benefits all Territorians.
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 and Howard Springs Hunting Reserve from 25 September to 23 December 2024;Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve and Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve from 25 September 2024 to 6 January 2025Designated Crown Land provided you also have a permit issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics from 25 September 2024 to 6 January 2025; andPrivate 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, from 15 August 2024 to 6 January 2025.
Hunters are reminded that the use of lead shot is prohibited on all Northern Territory Government land including Parks and Wildlife hunting reserves.
Permits are issued from the Parks and Wildlife Permits Office at Level 4, Goyder Building, 25 Chung Wah Terrace, Palmerston between the hours of 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, or online at here
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water security Kate Worden:
"Hunting is an important part of the Territory lifestyle and is a popular recreation activity for many who look forward to the hunting season each year.
"The daily bag limits are underpinned by a science-based management plan and the annual population survey conducted by the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security.
"Permitting hunting of waterfowl is balanced by our commitment to ensure the long-term conservation of the waterfowl population and to protect the natural environment in which waterfowl live and breed."
Northern Territory Government
