DUCK hunting is alive and well in Victoria, despite hunter numbers being down for the season opening, according to Field and Game Australia.

About 1300 hunters took part in the opening weekend of duck-hunting season across 31 wetlands monitored by Game Management Authority Victoria.

Field and Game Australia interim chief Glenn Falla said many were choosing to hunt on private land rather than be “caught up in the circus of opening weekend”.

“They are sick of spending their hard-earned dollars on being intimidated and made to feel guilty for a passion handed down from generation to generation,” he said.

media_camera Duck hunting season opening, Lake Cullen, Kerang. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Hunters were met by about 150 protesters at Lake Cullen near Kerang on Saturday, while there were a dozen protesters at Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve near Geelong, seven at Lake Bolac near Ararat and six at Lake Straun near Geelong.

A Game Management Authority spokesman said police arrested three protesters at Lake Straun for entering a specified hunting area during prohibited times and failing to follow directions of authorised officers.

There were also 30 hunting and firearms offences, including hunters exceeding bag limits, hunters without a valid game licence and illegal destruction of protected wildlife.

Two hunters allegedly used a firearm in a dangerous manner under the influence of alcohol.

“Penalties for these offences included the seizure of firearms and a number of infringement notices were issued. Some of the above matters may also proceed to court,” the GMA spokesman said.

The duck hunting season was this year cut from 12 to nine weeks because of dry conditions. Hunters were also restricted to four game ducks a day on the opening weekend, with a five a day bag limit for the rest of the season.

The season will close on May 19.