Recreational hunters with the required permits can begin shooting waterfowl on designated hunting reserves from today.
The season, which runs until Monday 6 January, 2025, has a daily bag limit of 7 magpie geese and 10 ducks, per person per day.
“Territorians love recreational hunting and it is an important part of the Territory’s unique lifestyle, which is what our government promised to protect and restore,” Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Marie-Clare Boothby said.
“The CLP will also stop the constant chopping and changing of bag limits and season length by locking in the current limits and dates for the next five years so that Territorians know what they can and can’t do well ahead of time.”
An aerial survey across the Top End’s floodplains from the Moyle River to Arnhem Land this year has estimated the 2024 Magpie Goose population as 1.33 million, compared to 1.26 million birds counted last year.
For a population size above 1.25 million, a maximum daily bag limit of 7 magpie geese is considered sustainable, and moderate breeding means the population is robust enough to support this.
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 and tourism operators balanced with conservation of the species.
All hunters are required to have a waterfowl hunting permit and can hunt on Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve, Howard Springs Hunting Reserve, Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve and Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve.
The NT Government is committed to expanding the Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve, and is working with relevant stakeholders and landholders to make this happen.
Hunting can also take place on designated Crown Land with a permit and private property (which includes Aboriginal land) as long as hunters have prior written permission of the landholder and can meet the setback conditions under the Firearms Act 1997.
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 can poison waterfowl which in turn causes health issues for those consuming 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.
Hunters can easily download the NT Hunting Mate app to access essential waterfowl hunting rules and information from their phones.
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 Fridayonline at
