Magpie geese and waterfowl hunting rules

In the Northern Territory (NT), you must have an NT permit to hunt magpie geese and waterfowl.

There are also other rules you must follow below. If you don't follow these rules, you could be charged with a hunting offence.

You can read about the magpie goose management program on the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment website.

You must only hunt during the official hunting season in the NT.

Opening and closing dates may change from year to year.

Find out the season dates.

You can hunt on:

Hunting reserves

You can only hunt in the following reserves:

You can't hunt in any other parks, reserves, wilderness areas and sanctuaries, or specific areas named in the Firearms Act 1997.

You must also not discharge a firearm across any boundary of a reserve.

  • Magpie goose - anseranas semipalmata
  • Pacific black duck - anas superciliosa
  • Grey teal - anas gracilis
  • Hardhead duck (also known as white-eyed duck) - aythya australis
  • Maned duck (also known as wood duck) - chenonetta jubata
  • Wandering whistling duck (also known as water whistle duck) - dendrocygna arcuata
  • Plumed whistling duck (also known as grass whistle duck) - dendrocygna eytoni
  • Pink-eared duck - malacorhynchus membranaceus

During the declared season, there is a bag limit for magpie geese and waterfowl.

The daily bag limit is:

  • magpie geese - 7 birds per hunter
  • other permitted waterfowl - 10 birds per hunter.

If you are away from your place of residence, for example, camping for 3 or more days, you can have a maximum of:

  • 21 magpie geese
  • 30 other waterfowl.

When hunting, you must only use:

  • shotguns between 10 gauge and 20 gauge under:
    • category A
    • category B - if it's a lever action shotgun with a magazine capacity of 5 rounds or less
  • bows including:
    • recurve, reflex, long or compound bow - cross-bows are not allowed.
  • non-toxic shots of a certain size to ensure birds are killed instantly - for:
    • magpie geese - use between 2 shot and BBB for steel shots and between number 4 shot and BBB when using any other non-toxic shots
    • waterfowl species - use between number 6 shot and BB when using steel shots and between number four shot and BBB when using any other non-toxic shots.

You must not use rifles, pistols, a pump action or a self-loading shotgun. It is also illegal to use lead shots.

For more information, read the Firearms Act 1997.

You may use up to 3 dogs to retrieve shot birds but not to chase or harass birds.

Any bird that is not dead when recovered must be killed immediately.

You must control your dog and not retrieve other hunters' birds or interfere with native animals.

A well-trained dog will make sure you retrieve your shot birds and reduce loss of shot birds.

Decoys may also be used during hunting.

While hunting, you should:

  • aim to instantly kill each bird fired upon, so that it does not suffer:
    • no animal should suffer unnecessarily as a result of sports shooting
  • clearly identify your target as an approved species for hunting
  • select a single bird as a target
  • do not indiscriminately fire into a flock of birds - you could wound or cripple birds and endanger a protected species
  • make sure you select the correct load and choke for your intended game bird.

While hunting, you must:

  • abide by all permit conditions
  • approach the shooting area with caution and consideration for others
  • avoid unnecessary noise, lights and movement
  • be at least 100m away from others
  • be aware of the location of other hunters and do not shoot in their direction
  • not approach another hunter's location
  • not shoot beyond your personal ability - 30m or less is an effective range for most hunters
  • not fire at birds on water as it risks injury to other shooters.

You must not leave the edible portion of a magpie or waterfowl carcass behind when hunting.

You must take at least the meat of the breast and the meat of the thigh above the distal joint of the femur (knee).

How to dispose carcasses

You must properly dispose of carcasses by spreading them out and hiding them under trees and shrubs.

When you are disposing carcasses, you must leave at least 5m between each carcass.

You must also dispose of a carcass at least 5m away from any track or thoroughfare.

Under a hunting permit, you're not allowed to:

  • sell, barter, dispose of or exchange any magpie and waterfowl carcass
  • take or keep magpie geese and waterfowl for taxidermy purposes:
    • taxidermy is where the dead bird is preserved or stuffed.

Bird flu, hunting and food safety

Currently, it is considered safe to hunt, handle and eat wild birds. However, birds can be infected without showing signs of being sick.

If you are hunting wetland birds (such as ducks, magpie geese, or other legally hunted waterfowl), safe food handling starts in the field and continues through to cooking.

To protect yourself against bird flu:

  • Do not collect, handle or eat birds that look sick or have been found dead.
  • Cook all game meat thoroughly. The meat must reach an internal temperature of at least 74°C and have no visible blood before eating.
  • Clean and prepare birds where they were hunted (field dress) or in a well-ventilated area.
  • Wear rubber or disposable gloves if available when handling and cleaning birds. You may also choose to wear a face mask and safety glasses, especially when preparing birds indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling birds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitiser.
  • Clean knives, equipment and surfaces that come into contact with birds.
  • Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth, while handling or cleaning birds.
  • Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling or cleaning birds.

Waterfowl permit return

After each hunting season, you should complete a waterfowl permit return to the Parks and Wildlife Commission to record the birds you have taken.

Submit a return online through Territory Services.

Go to Territory Services

Get help

To contact the Parks and Wildlife permits office:

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