VICTORIA’S annual game duck count kicked off on Monday as part of the state government’s five-year sustainable hunting plan.

The census is used not only to determine the number of ducks also maps populations and concentrations, a spokesperson for the state Game Management Authority told the Mansfield Courier.

“Satellite imaging will be used to help us determine the amount of wetland habitat available,” they said.

“Together with abundance estimates, that will help us estimate the total number of Victoria’s game duck numbers.”

The survey conducted by specialist wildlife biologists will log the species and numbers of game ducks across the state.

It will cover more than 870 waterbodies throughout Victoria, including wetlands, farms, sewage treatment plants, streams and rivers.

“Victoria’s approach to adaptive harvest management depends on abundance and habitat data being collected consistently and regularly so we can accurately predict future abundance based on environmental conditions at the time,” GMA Chief Executive Officer Graeme Ford said.

“This research benefits wildlife conservation by increasing our understanding of the ecology of Victoria’s game duck populations and the health of their habitats.”

The survey runs through November 2 and the GMA says people should not be worried if they see a helicopter flying low over their property.

The survey results will be published next year, along with an analysis.

Duck hunting is a controversial issue, with some groups demanding it be banned as soon as possible.

Critics say it drives non-hunters of public land during hunting season – normally from March/April through May each year.

It has already been banned in some states for more than 30 years.

And in August, a Victorian parliamentary inquiry recommended duck hunting be banned on all public and private land from next year.

‘The committee’s rationale is driven by the considerable environmental evidence of long-term decline in native bird populations, and a worsening outlook as our climate continues to change,’ committee chairman Upper House Labor MP Ryan Batchelor said.

‘The committee was also acutely aware of the animal welfare issues associated with native bird hunting, as well as the amenity loss of large areas of public land to the overwhelming majority of the Victorian public during the hunting season.

“Tens of thousands of hectares of public land are off limits to non-hunters during duck season, but with the appropriate investment in infrastructure State Game Reserves could be converted into Outdoor Recreation Reserves.”