Seasonal Guide: Best Times and Places to Hunt in Australia

Plan your next hunting trip around Australia with this guide. Learn about the times and locations for hunting various game and pests with Badlands. Read on to discover when and where you can shoot what types of animals, with a look at the gear we recommend to maximise your experience. Contact one of our friendly team members today or visit our website, with shipping to Sydney, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland.

Locations and Best Hunting Times in Australia

All hunting locations in Australia have different laws and regulations depending on the state and territory.

Australia Capital Territory

You can only hunt pest animals on private property with the landowners' permission in the ACT. The best hunting times in Australia’s capital can occur at any time of year. Pests include:

• Rabbit
• Hare
• Fox
• Pig
• Goat
• Feral cat
• Feral dog

Seasonal Hunting Guide for New South Wales

Text: Hunting feral animals can occur at any time of year on private property and crown land with permission. While you need a special license to hunt ducks, NSW has an open season on all game animals, including:

• Fallow deer, optimally in April
• California quails
• Partridges
• Pheasants
• Peafowl

Guide for the Northern Territory

You can hunt feral animals on private land with the landowner's permission, except for feral pigs and waterfowl, which require a permit. The NT only allows hunting waterfowl during the open season, which starts September 25th and ends January 6th. Pests include:

• Arabian camels
• Buffaloes
• Cane toads
• Donkeys
• Feral cats
• Horses
• Wild dogs

Most Hunting Locations in Australia: Queensland

Queensland classifies almost every animal as a pest, including native species, with the proper permit. The seasonal hunting guide is all year round with a landowner’s permission.

South Australia

You can hunt pest animals at any time of year in SA with the right permission. The open season occurs March 16th and finishes June 30th, and game animals include:

• Stubble quail
• Pacific black duck
• Grey teal
• Chestnut teal
• Australian shelduck
• Pink-eared duck
• Maned duck

Tasmania

Hunting pests is legal on private land in Tasmania all year round, but you need a game license to hunt game animals in two different open seasons, which are:

• Buck season from February 27th to April 4th
• Antlerless deer season from March 15th to November 15th

Victoria

You can secure permission from private landowners and state forestry to hunt pests, with no restrictions except for game species during open season, between April 10th and June 5th. Game animals include:

• European quail
• Partridge
• Pink-eared duck
• Australian wood duck
• Chestnut teal
• Australian shoveller
• Hog deer
• Fallow deer

Western Australia

Hunting is legal, but only of feral species on private land with permission and a valid firearms license. Pest species include:

• Camels
• Donkeys
• Feral cattle
• Feral dogs
• Feral horse
• Hares
• Starling

Hunting Gear Recommendations

Before your hunt, some of our hunting gear recommendations include:

• Custom moulded earplugs or electronic earmuffs
• Heavy duty backpack
• Tactical boots or hiking with gaiters
• Hardy pants, tee and hoodie with tactical pockets
• Dry food
• Yeti water bottle