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Author Topic: Waterfowl tests essential for new duck hunters  (Read 9138 times)

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Waterfowl tests essential for new duck hunters
« on: February 14, 2013, 10:16:11 PM »
Media release: Waterfowl tests essential for new duck hunters
12 Feb 13 - Victoria DPI


 Passing the Waterfowl Identification Test is essential for all duck hunters.



With this year's Victorian duck season scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 16, new hunters are being reminded they must first pass their Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT) to be eligible for a licence to hunt game ducks.

Game Victoria Director Simon Toop said since 1990, any hunter wishing to apply for a Game Licence endorsed for ducks had been required to pass the WIT first.

"Requiring hunters to first pass the WIT before receiving a licence ensures that only those with adequate waterfowl identification skills are permitted to hunt game ducks in Victoria," Mr Toop said.

"Those wishing to obtain a licence for this year's duck season should have already begun studying to ensure they have enough knowledge to pass the test."

The tests are being administered by Game Victoria, part of the Department of Primary Industries.

There are a number of locations around the state where new hunters can undertake the WIT.

Game Victoria is also conducting tests at some Field and Game locations, where hunters can participate in a duck identification course and training prior to sitting the test.

Locations, dates and times of test sessions are posted on the DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/game-hunting

Hunters can also ring the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for booking details.

If hunters wish to participate in the training course run by Field and Game Australia, they should call the FGA national office on (03) 5799 0960.

Mr Toop said hunters had access to various resources to provide them with sufficient knowledge to identify waterfowl, including "A Guide to Australian Waterfowl," available here.

"Anyone sitting the WIT should study the video Ducks in Sight, which can be purchased from the FGA national offices and some DPI offices, or viewed for free on DPI’s website in the online video library," Mr Toop said.

Hunters are urged to check current duck hunting regulations by reading the Victorian Hunting Guide 2013, which is posted to all holders of a Game Licence.

The 2013 Victorian duck season opens on Saturday, March 16 and closes on Monday, June 10.



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Re: Waterfowl tests essential for new duck hunters
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2013, 05:43:52 AM »
So I assume that means they are not allowed to shoot all types of ducks! (Not like you would confuse an egret and a black duck!)

Extra points for bagging one of these? Heard they are a pest species easily found in the swamps (sorry wetlands) during duck hunting season.


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Re: Waterfowl tests essential for new duck hunters
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2013, 06:43:10 AM »
Up here all we really see are Black Ducks and Wood Ducks.  (Woodies are in fact Geese, a Maned Goose to be precise.)  In Vic, the three common birds are Woodies, Blackies and Teal.  You occaisionally see a Mallard, a Plumed Tree Duck and even the odd Widgeon.  (Saw a heap of Tree Ducks at Awoonga a couple of years ago.) The ID test has been around for years to stop the guys shooting out all the protected ducks.  See how many species you can count here, with my father and a few of his mates after a morning on the swamp.
My memory is shot, but Dad is third from the left, (our left) skip one and the guys on the right are the late Bill Burns, Ray Colson and Smilie Williams (all married to sisters) from Taminick in Victoria.  I'd guess they were shooting either Winton Swamp or The Black Swamp.

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Re: Waterfowl tests essential for new duck hunters
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2013, 06:59:57 AM »
Bagged a few!
We see a few whistlers down here, but otherwise only black ducks locally. (And domestic escapee's)

 

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