The Victorian Government says Victorian hunters will have a full 12-week duck hunting season this year.

Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh say above-average rainfall between 2010 and 2012 has significantly increased game duck numbers throughout eastern Australia.

"Game duck numbers are at their fourth highest level in 30 years," Mr Walsh said.

The 2013 duck hunting season will open on Saturday March 16 at 7:10am (AEST) in the eastern zone, 7:20am in the central zone and 7:30am in the western zone, and close half an hour after sunset on Monday June 10.

There will be a bag limit of 10 game ducks which includes no more than two Australasian (Blue-winged) Shovelers this season.

All duck hunters hunter must pass a waterfowl identification test, which examines a hunter's ability to identify waterfowl species.

"This helps to ensure that duck hunting remains sustainable and prevents non-game birds from being mistakenly taken," Mr Walsh said.

About 43,000 people licensed are to hunt game in Victoria.

"Game hunting generates around $100 million annually and supports jobs in hospitality and recreational supplies, such as vehicles, boats, fuel, firearms and ammunition, plus camping and hunting equipment," the Minister said.

Victoria's Sporting Shooters Association has applauded the announcement.

The Association's Wayne Holdsworth called it a "sound fact-based decision to hold a normal duck hunting season".

But conservationists say recreational duck hunting should be banned on cruelty grounds.

Laurie Levy from the Coalition Against Duck Shooting says rescuers will return to the wetlands again this season to provide urgent veterinary care to wounded birds.

He says they also will try to ensure duck hunters who break the law are prosecuted for cruelty offences.