Canberra's annual kangaroo cull begins on Wednesday night, with 1606 eastern grey kangaroos in shooters' sights, 450 more than last year.

But Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury has softened the news for cull protesters, announcing that one site will be set aside for a trial of fertility control for up to 500 kangaroos. Fertility control had never before been done on that scale for kangaroos, he said.

More than 1600 kangaroos will be shot as part of the cull.

Eight reserves will be closed from Wednesday night, with two shooters contracted by the government to do the cull.

The nature reserves are the Callum Brae off Mugga Lane, Goorooyarroo and adjacent land in Gungahlin, Jerrabomberra Grassland West, Kama near Hawker, Mount Painter near Cook, Mulanggari in Gungahlin, Mulligans Flat in Gungahlin, and the Pinnacle and adjacent land near Hawker.