Hunting Seasons in Australia 2026
| Species / Season | Open Season | Night Hunting | Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feral Pig Season Australia | year-round | yes | rifle, bow | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Year-round, pest in all states · Firearms license, landowner permission |
| Sambar Deer Season Australia | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Victoria, introduced population · Game license required |
| Fallow Deer Season Australia | 02/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Victoria, Tasmania · Game license, bag limits |
| Fox Season Australia | year-round | yes | rifle | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Invasive species, year-round · Hunting encouraged |
| Rabbit Season Australia | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Invasive pest, year-round · No closed season |
| Water Buffalo Season Australia | 05/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Northern Territory, safari · Guide recommended |
| Red Deer | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, NSW, QLD; year-round on private farms |
| Rusa Deer | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — NSW coastal region, near Royal National Park |
| Hog Deer | 04/01 – 04/30 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Victoria only (Gippsland), very short season · Ballot system, maximum 1 deer per hunter |
| Axis Deer (Chital) | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — QLD and NSW, on private land |
| Feral Goat | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Year-round in NSW, SA, QLD, WA |
| Feral Camel | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Outback, SA, WA, NT; population reduction |
| Feral Donkey | year-round | no | rifle | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — NT, WA, QLD; pest control |
| Feral Cat | year-round | yes | rifle | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Pest, threatens native fauna |
| Dingo / Wild Dog | year-round | yes | rifle | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Pest control on farmland |
| European Hare | year-round | no | rifle, shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, NSW, SA, TAS |
| Stubble Quail | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC and SA, game bird season |
| Pacific Black Duck | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS; duck season |
| Grey Teal | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS |
| Chestnut Teal | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS |
| Mountain Duck (Shelduck) | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS |
| Australian Wood Duck | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS |
| Pink-eared Duck | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS |
| Hardhead (White-eyed Duck) | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS |
| Australasian Shoveler | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS |
| Blue-winged Shoveler | 03/01 – 06/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — VIC, SA, TAS |
| Pheasant | 06/01 – 07/31 | no | shotgun | Seasons and licensing vary by state. Check state game authority. — Victoria only, introduced species |
Note: Summary from the HuntKit hunting seasons database (as of 2026-08-02). Seasons may vary regionally and change at short notice — the official regulations of the respective country/state prevail. Not legal advice.
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