{"id":"tas:sr-2004-010","name":"Nature Conservation (Open Seasons) Order 2004","slug":"nature-conservation-open-seasons-order-2004","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"10 of 2004","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":318009,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2004-010-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This order may be cited as the [Nature Conservation (Open Seasons) Order 2004](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2004-010) .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> This order takes effect on the day on which its making is notified in the *Gazette*.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> > (1)  In this order,\n> > \n> > > ***partly protected wildlife*** has the same meaning as in the [Wildlife Regulations 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-1999-168) .\n> \n> > (2)  The [Acts Interpretation Act 1931](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1931-059) applies to the interpretation of this order as if the order were by-laws.\n> \n> > (3)  Any period specified in this order and identified by days or dates is inclusive of those days and dates.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Birds","content":"# Part 2 Birds","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Open season for wild duck","content":"### 4 Open season for wild duck\n\n> [*\\[Clause 4 Subclause (4) omitted by S.R. 2006, No. 158, Applied:01 Jan 2007\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-01-01/sr-2006-158#GS4@EN) [*\\[Clause 4 Substituted by S.R. 2007, No. 9, Applied:07 Mar 2007\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-03-07/sr-2007-009#GS4@EN) [*\\[Clause 4 Substituted by S.R. 2012, No. 22, Applied:09 May 2012\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2012-05-09/sr-2012-022#GS4@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  In this clause –\n> > \n> > > ***wild duck*** means any bird of a species of the family Anatidae that is a form of partly protected wildlife.\n> \n> > (2)  The open season for wild duck in each year is the period –\n> > \n> > > > (a) starting on the Saturday nearest 8 March of the year; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) ending on the Sunday nearest 8 June of the year, except where that Sunday immediately precedes the second Monday in June, in which case the period ends on the second Monday in June.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Clause 4 Subclause (3) inserted by S.R. 2022, No. 3, Applied:26 Feb 2022\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2022-02-26/sr-2022-003#GS4@EN) During an open season referred to in [subclause (2)](#GS4@Gs2@EN) , a person may only take up to 10 wild duck in a single day.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Open season for short-tailed shearwater (muttonbird): muttonbird licences","content":"### 5 Open season for short-tailed shearwater (muttonbird): muttonbird licences\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Clause 5 Subclause (1) amended by S.R. 2006, No. 158, Applied:01 Jan 2007\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-01-01/sr-2006-158#GS5@EN) For the holder of a muttonbird licence, the open season for muttonbird in each year is the period starting at 8.00 a.m. on the Saturday nearest 1 April of the year and ending on the third Sunday following that day, except where that day immediately precedes Easter Monday, in which case the period ends on Easter Monday of the year.\n> \n> > (2)  During the open season, juvenile muttonbirds may be taken from the rookeries specified in [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) to this order.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Clause 5 Subclause (3) amended by S.R. 2016, No. 16, Applied:30 Mar 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-03-30/sr-2016-016#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Clause 5 Subclause (3) amended by S.R. 2016, No. 16, Applied:30 Mar 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-03-30/sr-2016-016#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Clause 5 Subclause (3) inserted by S.R. 2015, No. 13, Applied:01 Apr 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-04-01/sr-2015-013#GS4@EN) [*\\[Clause 5 Subclause (3) omitted by S.R. 2019, No. 14, Applied:27 Mar 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-03-27/sr-2019-014#GS4@EN) [*\\[Clause 5 Subclause (3) inserted by S.R. 2022, No. 3, Applied:26 Feb 2022\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2022-02-26/sr-2022-003#GS5@EN) During an open season, the holder of a muttonbird licence may only take up to 25 muttonbirds in a single day.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Open season for short-tailed shearwater (muttonbird): commercial licences","content":"### 6 Open season for short-tailed shearwater (muttonbird): commercial licences\n\n> > (1)  [*\\[Clause 6 Subclause (1) amended by S.R. 2008, No. 34, Applied:30 Apr 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-30/sr-2008-034#GS4@Hpa@EN) For the holder of a commercial muttonbird catcher's licence, the open season for muttonbird in each year is the period starting on 27 March of the year and ending on 30 April of the year.\n> \n> > (1A)  [*\\[Clause 6 Subclause (1A) inserted by S.R. 2008, No. 34, Applied:30 Apr 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-30/sr-2008-034#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Clause 6 Subclause (1A) omitted by S.R. 2008, No. 34, Applied:31 Dec 2008\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-12-31/sr-2008-034#GS5@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  \n> \n> > (2)  During the open season, juvenile muttonbirds may be taken from the rookeries specified in a licence referred to in [subclause (1)](#GS6@Gs1@EN) .","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Open season for brown quail","content":"### 7 Open season for brown quail\n\n> [*\\[Clause 7 Subclause (1) amended by S.R. 2005, No. 25, Applied:20 Apr 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-04-20/sr-2005-025#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Clause 7 Subclause (1) amended by S.R. 2005, No. 25, Applied:20 Apr 2005\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-04-20/sr-2005-025#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Clause 7 Subclause (2) amended by S.R. 2011, No. 35, Applied:27 Apr 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-04-27/sr-2011-035#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Clause 7 Subclause (3) inserted by S.R. 2011, No. 35, Applied:27 Apr 2011\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2011-04-27/sr-2011-035#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Clause 7 Substituted by S.R. 2013, No. 19, Applied:01 May 2013\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-05-01/sr-2013-019#GS4@EN) [*\\[Clause 7 Substituted by S.R. 2022, No. 3, Applied:26 Feb 2022\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2022-02-26/sr-2022-003#GS6@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  The open season for brown quail in each year commences on the Saturday nearest 15 May of the year and ends on the seventh Sunday following that Saturday.\n> \n> > (2)  During an open season referred to in [subclause (1)](#GS7@Gs1@EN) , a person may only take up to 20 brown quail in a single day.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Open season for common pheasant","content":"### 8 Open season for common pheasant\n\n> > (1)  The open season for common pheasant in each year is the period starting on the Saturday immediately before the second Monday in June of the year and ending on the Sunday immediately before the second Monday in June of the year.\n> \n> > (2)  The open season for common pheasant applies only to –\n> > \n> > > > (a) adult male pheasant; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the municipal area of King Island.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Clause 8 Subclause (3) inserted by S.R. 2022, No. 3, Applied:26 Feb 2022\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2022-02-26/sr-2022-003#GS7@EN) During an open season referred to in [subclause (1)](#GS8@Gs1@EN) , a person may only take up to 3 adult male pheasants in a single day.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Mammals","content":"# Part 3 Mammals","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Open season for European fallow deer","content":"### 9 Open season for European fallow deer\n\n> [*\\[Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2015, No. 87, Applied:09 Dec 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-12-09/sr-2015-087#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 120, Applied:21 Dec 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-12-21/sr-2016-120#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2017, No. 100, Applied:20 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-20/sr-2017-100#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2015, No. 87, Applied:09 Dec 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-12-09/sr-2015-087#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 120, Applied:21 Dec 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-12-21/sr-2016-120#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2017, No. 100, Applied:20 Dec 2017\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-12-20/sr-2017-100#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2010, No. 19, Applied:17 Feb 2010\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-02-17/sr-2010-019#GS4@EN) [*\\[Clause 9 Amended by S.R. 2019, No. 86, Applied:25 Dec 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-12-25/sr-2019-086#GS4@EN) [*\\[Clause 9 Substituted by S.R. 2022, No. 3, Applied:26 Feb 2022\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2022-02-26/sr-2022-003#GS8@EN)\n> \n> > (1)  The open season for European fallow deer in each year is –\n> > \n> > > > (a) in the case of adult male deer, the period starting on the Saturday nearest 26 February of the year and ending on the sixth Sunday following that Saturday; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) in the case of antlerless deer, the period starting on 15 March of the year and ending on 15 November of that year.\n> \n> > (2)  During an open season referred to in [subclause (1)](#GS9@Gs1@EN) , a person –\n> > \n> > > > (a) may only take antlerless deer or adult male deer; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) may take no more than one adult male deer.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Open season for wallaby","content":"### 10 Open season for wallaby\n\n> > (1)  In this order,\n> > \n> > > ***wallaby*** means any mammal of a species of the family Macropodidae that is a form of partly protected wildlife.\n> \n> > (2)  [*\\[Clause 10 Subclause (2) substituted by S.R. 2006, No. 158, Applied:01 Jan 2007\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-01-01/sr-2006-158#GS6@EN) The open season for wallaby in each year is the period starting on the Monday immediately before the Saturday nearest 1 March of the year and ending on the Sunday immediately before the Saturday nearest 1 March of the subsequent year.\n> \n> > (3)  [*\\[Clause 10 Subclause (3) omitted by S.R. 2006, No. 158, Applied:01 Jan 2007\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-01-01/sr-2006-158#GS6@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous Amendments","content":"# Part 4 Miscellaneous Amendments","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"National Parks and Wildlife (Open Seasons) Order 2001  revoked","content":"### 11 National Parks and Wildlife (Open Seasons) Order 2001  revoked\n\n> The [National Parks and Wildlife (Open Seasons) Order 2001](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-179) is revoked.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1 - Muttonbird rooker","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1 - Muttonbird rookeries","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 - Muttonbird rooker SCHEDULE 1 - Muttonbird rookeries\n\n[Clause 5(2)](#GS5@Gs2@EN)\n\n[*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2012, No. 22, Applied:09 May 2012\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2012-05-09/sr-2012-022#GS5@EN) [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2015, No. 13, Applied:01 Apr 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-04-01/sr-2015-013#GS5@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2015, No. 13, Applied:01 Apr 2015\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2015-04-01/sr-2015-013#GS5@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 16, Applied:30 Mar 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-03-30/sr-2016-016#GS5@Hpa@EN) [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2016, No. 16, Applied:30 Mar 2016\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-03-30/sr-2016-016#GS5@Hpb@EN) [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2019, No. 14, Applied:27 Mar 2019\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-03-27/sr-2019-014#GS5@EN) [*\\[Schedule 1 Amended by S.R. 2020, No. 21, Applied:25 Mar 2020\\]*](/view/html/inforce/2020-03-25/sr-2020-021#GS4@EN)\n\n|  | Rookery |\n|  | Furneaux Group |\n| 1. | Inner Sister Island Conservation Area |\n| 2. | Outer Sister Island Conservation Area |\n| 3. | Little Chalky Island |\n| 4. | Little Dog Island Game Reserve |\n| 5. | Little Green Island Conservation Area |\n| 6. | Little Island |\n| 7. | Marriott Reef |\n| 8. | Pasco Islands |\n| 9. | Passage Island |\n| 10. | Pelican Island |\n| 11. | Prime Seal Island |\n| 12. | Puncheon Island |\n| 13. | Roydon Island |\n| 14. | Sentinel Island |\n|  | Hunter Group |\n| 15. | Bird Island Game Reserve |\n| 16. | Harbour Islets |\n| 17. | Petrels Game Reserve |\n| 18. | Ranger Point Rookery on Three Hummock Island State Reserve |\n| 19. | Robbins Island |\n| 20. | Stack Island Game Reserve |\n| 21. | Walkers Island |\n|  | King Island Group |\n| 22. | Badger Box |\n| 23. | Barrier Creek |\n| 24. | Bold Head |\n| 25. | Boulder Point |\n| 28. | Catarique Point |\n| 30. | Fraser Bluff |\n| 31. | Grassy |\n| 32. | Naracoopa Beach |\n| 33. | New Year Island Game Reserve |\n| 34. | Red Hut |\n| 35. | Rocky Point |\n| 36. | Sandblow Point |\n| 37. | Seal Rocks State Reserve |\n| 38. | Wash and Springs |\n| 39. | Whistler Point |\n| 40. | Wickham Lighthouse |\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 10 March 2004\n\nThis order is administered in the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment.","sortOrder":15}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available text, the order appears to remain focused on its original purpose of designating open hunting seasons for wildlife in Tasmania. Amendments over time likely updated specific dates and species rather than fundamentally altering the scope or intent of the instrument."},"complexity_factors":["The substantive content (specific species, dates, and conditions) is not reproduced in the provided text, making full analysis impossible","The order has been amended multiple times since 2004, requiring cross-referencing of amending instruments to determine the current operative rules","It operates within a broader legislative framework (the parent Nature Conservation Act) which adds context needed to fully understand obligations and penalties","Determining applicable open seasons requires matching specific species to calendar dates, which can be straightforward but prone to error without careful reading"],"plain_english_summary":"This Tasmanian Order defines the times of year when specific wildlife may be legally hunted or taken — “open seasons” — and who it governs (hunters, landholders and enforcement agencies). Taking listed species outside those seasons is generally prohibited and can attract fines or prosecution. The order is updated periodically (latest effective 26 Feb 2022), so anyone planning to hunt in Tasmania must check the current version for the applicable species and dates."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The order replaces and revokes the earlier National Parks and Wildlife (Open Seasons) Order 2001 (clause 11) and contains numerous later amendments recorded in the text. Amendments have altered season dates, added or revised daily bag limits, and distinguished licence categories and permitted rookeries (see clauses 4–10, clause 5(2) and Schedule 1), so the regulatory scope and operational details differ from the 2001 instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Species- and licence-specific timing rules across multiple clauses (e.g. clauses 4(2), 5(1), 6(1), 7(1), 8(1), 9(1), 10(2)) increase drafting complexity.","Different licence categories with differing entitlements and geographic limits (muttonbird licences vs commercial licences) require cross-checking (clauses 5 and 6).","Varied daily bag limits that differ by species and licence create compliance complexity (clauses 4(3), 5(3), 7(2), 8(3), 9(2)(b)).","Dependence on external instruments for definitions and interpretation (cross-reference to Wildlife Regulations 1999 in clause 3(1); Acts Interpretation Act application in clause 3(2)).","Schedule 1 lists numerous specific rookeries for muttonbird taking, requiring geographic specificity for enforcement and compliance (Schedule 1; clause 5(2)).","Multiple historical amendments and substitutions noted in the text mean the current scope has changed over time and tracking versions is necessary (amendment notes across clauses and Schedule 1).","Commencement and inclusivity rules (commencement on Gazette notice, inclusive day/date treatment) affect timing of legal effect and compliance (clauses 2 and 3(3))."],"plain_english_summary":"This order sets the annual open seasons and per-person daily limits for taking specified partly protected birds and mammals in Tasmania, and lists the muttonbird rookeries where juvenile shearwaters may be taken. It distinguishes licence types (recreational, commercial, muttonbird) and prescribes species- and area-specific timing and bag limits. The rule affects hunters, licence‑holders and managers of listed sites because it defines when and how many animals may lawfully be taken and revokes the earlier 2001 open-seasons order."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original purpose of regulating hunting seasons for specific wildlife species. While it has been amended multiple times since 2004 to adjust dates, bag limits, and locations, these changes represent refinements to the regulatory framework rather than expansion into new areas. The core scope—setting open seasons for defined species with specified restrictions—remains consistent with the original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple amendment history markers cluttering the text (numerous '[Clause X amended by S.R. YYYY, No. Z]' references)","Complex date calculations using 'nearest Saturday' and conditional end dates (e.g., 'except where that Sunday immediately precedes the second Monday in June')","Cross-reference to external regulations (Wildlife Regulations 1999 for 'partly protected wildlife' definition)","Different rules for different licence types (muttonbird recreational vs commercial)","Geographic restrictions (Schedule 1 lists 40 specific rookery locations across three island groups)","Sex-specific and age-specific restrictions (adult male vs antlerless deer, juvenile muttonbirds only, adult male pheasants only)"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets the rules for when and where people can hunt certain animals in Tasmania.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Creates \"open seasons\" — specific dates when it's legal to hunt particular wildlife\n- Sets daily limits on how many animals can be taken\n- Lists exactly which locations are approved for hunting\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Recreational hunters wanting to shoot wild duck, brown quail, or pheasants\n- People with special licences to harvest muttonbirds (short-tailed shearwaters) — both recreational and commercial catchers\n- Hunters targeting fallow deer or wallabies\n\n**The key rules:**\n\n**Birds:**\n- **Wild duck:** March to June, max 10 per day\n- **Muttonbirds:** Different dates for recreational licence holders (around Easter) versus commercial catchers (late March to April). Recreational hunters limited to 25 birds per day and can only take them from specific islands listed in Schedule 1\n- **Brown quail:** Mid-May to early July, max 20 per day\n- **Pheasants:** Only adult males on King Island, one week in June, max 3 per day\n\n**Mammals:**\n- **Fallow deer:** Different seasons for males (February-March) versus antlerless deer (March-November). Only one adult male allowed\n- **Wallaby:** Year-round season from March to February\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis law balances conservation with traditional hunting rights. By restricting when, where, and how many animals can be taken, it prevents over-harvesting while allowing sustainable use of wildlife resources. The detailed location lists and date calculations ensure hunting happens in controlled circumstances."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-open-seasons-order-2004","history":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-open-seasons-order-2004/history","analysis":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-open-seasons-order-2004/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-open-seasons-order-2004/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-open-seasons-order-2004/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-open-seasons-order-2004/documents"}}