Changes to Licensing Procedures

NPWS NSW Game Bird Management Program 

Managed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Game Bird Management Program allows private landholders to legally protect their crops from the damage caused by wild ducks, using conservation hunters licensed by Game Council NSW. If not properly managed, ducks have the ability to devastate a single rice crop in one night.

The Game Bird Management Program partners rice growers with licensed, insured and accountable hunters at the start of the rice growing season in the Riverina and Murray areas of NSW.

Conservation hunters also assist the Department of Primary Industries in its Avian Influenza or ‘bird flu’ surveillance program by checking birds for symptoms of the disease and taking samples.
 
It is illegal for unlicensed hunters or landholders to carry out mitigation activities outside of the Game Bird Management Program.

I’m a hunter, how do I get involved in the GBMP?

Under NSW law, hunters must hold two licences before assisting rice growers to control ducks:

- A NSW Game Hunting G-Licence from Game Council NSW; and
- A General Licence (Game Birds) from the NSW NPWS.

You must also successfully pass the Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT), administered by the NPWS.

How much will it cost?

A NSW Game Hunting G-Licence issued by the Game Council costs $60 a year. It also allows you to legally hunt game species on private land in NSW (with permission from the landowner) such as wild deer, California quail, partridge, pheasant and peafowl and gives you access to $10-million public liability insurance policy.

The General Licence (Game Birds) is issued free of charge by the NSW NPWS and allows you to participate in the Game Bird Management Program.

Where can I get licence application forms?

For a NSW Game Hunting G-Licence, please contact Game Council NSW on (02) 6360-5111 between the hours of 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, or click here to download a form from this website.

For further information about the NPWS-issued General Licence (Game Birds) or Waterfowl Identification Test, please contact the NPWS Griffith office on (02) 6966-8109 or the Department of Sustainability & Environment in Victoria on (03) 9637 9855.

How does the Waterfowl Identification Test work?

Administered by the NPWS, the WIT is designed to test hunters’ knowledge of waterfowl to ensure they are able to distinguish between protected and non-protected game birds.

Why do I need to be licensed?

Abiding by the law demonstrates your commitment to safe, ethical and responsible hunting. Those caught hunting illegally will face confiscation and destruction of their firearms as well as severe penalties under the Crimes Act, including up to five years imprisonment.

Fines of up to $5500 apply under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act, as well as suspension or loss of licence.

How does the Game Council’s public liability policy work?
All current holders of a Standard NSW Game Hunting Licence are covered by Game Council’s $10-million public liability insurance policy.

The policy covers legal liability to third parties for bodily injury and/or property damage caused by an occurrence in connection with the Council’s and named licence holders’ activities under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002.

Want to know more?

For general information about the NPWS Game Bird Management Program, or information about the Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT), please call the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Griffith Office on (02) 6966 8109 or the Department of Sustainability and Environment in Victoria on (03) 9637 9855.

APPLICATION FORMS:

1. Game Council G-Licence

2. NPWS General Licence (Game Birds) to shoot ducks

MORE INFORMATION: National Parks & Wildlife Service, Riverina Region, on telephone (02) 6966 8109 or free call 1800 620 452; Game Council NSW on (02) 6360 5111 or your local Game Manager.

DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE