The Northern Territory waterfowl hunting season has begun.

The season will run until January 6 with a daily bag limit of seven magpie geese and 10 ducks per person, the NT government has said.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the season started on Wednesday, and the magpie goose bag limit was determined following an aerial survey across the Top End’s floodplains from the Moyle River to Arnhem Land, which estimated the 2024 magpie goose population to be 1.33 million birds compared to 1.26 million birds counted last year.

She said the maximum daily bag limit of seven magpie geese was considered sustainable because moderate breeding levels indicated that the population was robust enough to support it.

“Territorians love recreational hunting and it is an important part of the Territory’s unique lifestyle, which is what our government promised to protect and restore,” Ms Boothby said.

“The CLP will also stop the constant chopping and changing of bag limits and season length by locking in the current limits and dates for the next five years so that Territorians know what they can and can’t do well ahead of time.”

Waterfowl hunters need a permit and can shoot at Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve, Howard Springs Hunting Reserve, Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve and Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve.

Hunting is also permitted on specified Crown Land and on private property, including land owned by Aboriginal communities, provided that the hunter has obtained written consent from the property owner in advance and complies with the setback requirements outlined in the Firearms Act 1997.

Lead shot is not allowed on any Northern Territory government land, which includes all hunting reserves managed by Parks and Wildlife.

Ms Boothby said all hunting regulations and details are contained on the NT Hunting Mate app.

Permits can be obtained from the Parks and Wildlife at Level 4, Goyder Building, 25 Chung Wah Terrace, Palmerston from 8am to 4 pm on Monday to Friday. They can also be obtained from the Parks and Wildlife website.