Letter from DEW

As many of you may have seen there was an email from DEW on the importance of complying with the conditions on the duck hunting permits. If you haven’t seen it here it is below.

Dear Duck Hunting Permit Holder,

Department for Environment and Water staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service undertook patrols at popular hunting locations across Riverland, Murraylands and Limestone Coast regions over the opening weekend of the 2023 duck open season. Most hunters were found to be acting in accordance the relevant legislation and the conditions of their Duck Hunting Permits.

The Department is aware of footage showing some duck hunters acting in a manner potentially contrary to the requirements of relevant South Australian legislation and the conditions of a Duck Hunting Permit. The department encourages anyone who collected that footage or who believes they are shown in that footage to contact the department to discuss the matter. Hunters should be aware that the Department for Environment and Water treats alleged hunting offences seriously and investigates all complaints it receives.

Duck hunters are required to comply with the conditions of their Duck Hunting Permit, and this includes complying with the ‘Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting in South Australia’. This Code requires hunters to kill injured birds as quickly and humanely as possible by a second shot, or a blow with a heavy instrument to the rear of the birds skull. Copies of the Code are available on the Department’s website at https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/environment/docs/cop_humanedestructionbirds.pdf. Permit conditions are supplied with every permit and are also available at https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/environment/images/2023-Duck-Hunting-Limitations-Restrictions-and-Conditions.pdf. Failing to comply with a permit condition may be subject to court imposed fine of up to $2,500.

Hunters should be aware that National Parks and Wildlife Service will be patrolling popular hunting locations throughout the 2023 duck open season.

More information on the hunting in South Australia is available at https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/plants-and-animals/sustainable-use-of-animals-and-plants/hunting-information. Hunters can also contact their local National Parks and Wildlife Service office, the DEW Customer Service Centre or the Fauna Permits Unit if they have queries about legislation governing hunting in South Australia or their permit conditions.

Kind regards,

Fauna Permits Unit

CHASA would like to reinforce the importance of complying with the conditions on your duck hunting permit and complying with the code of practice regarding ducks and other birds linked here.

CHASA would also like to thank all hunters that complied.