Duck season killed in SA

ADELAIDE - South Australia's duck hunting season has been cancelled for 2008 because of the drought.

Environment Minister Gail Gago said the season had been axed for the third time in three years in a bid to conserve precious wild duck populations.

"Poor autumn and winter rainfall has resulted in water shortages in much of the Murray-Darling and Lake Eyre basins as well as core refuge areas in southern Victoria," Ms Gago said.

"Without decent water flows these birds can't breed and allowing hunting to take place this season would impact far too greatly on breeding stock."

The minister said restrictions would also be placed on quail hunting, limiting the hunting period and the number of birds that could be taken.

- AAP