Hunting game birds with dogs
Hunting native game birds with the assistance of a gundog is a permitted hunting method under the Native Game Bird Management Program in NSW. Other non-indigenous game birds covered by the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 may also be hunted with a gundog.
Many properties that take part in the Native Game Bird Management Program grow rice crops. Generally, the rice crops are irrigated with water and are impacted by ducks each year. When ducks are harvested, it is best practice to recover them quickly before other birds can be targeted. The best way to retrieve the birds and cause minimal damage to the rice crop is with the use of highly trained gundogs. All gundogs are predisposed to retrieving harvested game, regardless of their breed.
When hunting native game birds under the program, you may only use a dog to:
- locate
- flush
- point
- retrieve.
Dogs may also be used in game bird field trials that are conducted by an approved hunting club or organisation on private land.
