WIMMERA residents have largely supported the closure of Natimuk Lake to duck hunters.

It comes after Game Management Authority announced earlier this week that Natimuk Lake and Natimuk Creek Lake Reserve. would be closed to hunting due to a large number of freckled ducks.

Natimuk Lake Caravan Park caretaker Sam Wicks said the park would lose about $3000 in business because of the closure.

He said duck hunting season usually brought about 150 to 200 people to the park.

A Mail-Times online poll asked people if they supported the closure of the lake. 

The poll attracted 822 responses, with more than 67 per cent of people agreeing the lake should be closed.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party politician Daniel Young also weighed in on the debate.

Mr Young said duck hunting was a family tradition inherited from his great-grandfather and an activity he would welcome his daughters doing when they were old enough to use a firearm.

“I love getting out, whether it’s in a lake or swamp, wading out into it, experiencing that,” he said.

“I really like going out to harvest some wild game, cook it and share it with my family – that's really rewarding.” 

Meanwhile the Australia Justice Animal Party encouraged people to vote ‘yes’ in the Mail-Times poll.

The 2017 duck season will start on Saturday and close on June 12.

Daily bag limit of 10 ducks a day will apply, with no blue-winged shoveler permitted during the 2017 duck season.