Game hunters across the Goulburn Valley and beyond have the all-clear to proceed as scheduled for the upcoming stubble quail hunting season.
An announcement from the Victorian Government that the quail hunting period would proceed unmodified came after the ministry accepted the Game Management Authority’s recommendations.
The legislated season will begin on Saturday, April 6 and run until Sunday, June 30, with hunting legal between half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset each day and a bag limit of 20 a day for each hunter.
The announcement was made last Thursday and Field and Game Australia acknowledged and welcomed the news.
District state game reserves include Mansfield Swamp, located 10km west of Stanhope, and Rowan Swamp further north, 15km southwest of Yarrawonga.
Gaynor Swamp also permits legislated quail hunting about 10km north of Colbinabbin.
Shepparton Field and Game life member Steve Threlfall wholeheartedly embraced the news.
“The Allan Government and (Outdoor Recreation Minister) Steve Dimopoulos recognise it’s been a longstanding pursuit of Victorians for over 100 years,” Threlfall said.
“Some of the continued efforts to make people more responsible should be congratulated.
“It’s been a good decision to continue, but also to make recreational shoots better in a lot of ways; everything relies on basic regulation and education.
“It’s been a huge part of history as far as country townspeople and, while those opposed will argue it doesn’t add anything to the economy, I can tell you it does with visitations for this hunting.
“The numbers of quails and ducks around have climbed through the roof; we’ve provided them ideal environments over the last couple of years.”
Threlfall was critical of perceived external pressure applied towards the government in favour of banning the hunts, aligned with similar campaigning in other parts of Australia.
“There's always a concern when there's pressure put on governments by people who believe things should happen when it doesn't affect them,” Threlfall said.
“A lot of those people don’t take visitations to the country and it’s a concern when those people push agendas, but the people it affects have very little regard for their opinions.”
However, there is one change slated for the 2025 season in that this is the last period during which lead shot is permitted.
However, Threlfall does not see this holding the community back too much.
“The availability of steel pellets for quail is virtually non-existent, but it’s a good thing to see,” Threlfall said.
“Some of these importers can now prepare for next season because the ban is on the table. They can import the ammunition approved by the government and there’s plenty of it available.
“They’ll have plenty of time to do it so that next year will not be a problem.”