VICTORIA'S duck hunting season will be extended to 12 weeks after above-average rainfall led to increased waterfowl habitat and breeding.

The season will run from March 19 to June 13, with hunters allowed to shoot a maximum of 10 game ducks per day, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) announced today.

Kylie White from the DSE said significant rainfall over the past 12 months had increased habitat for waterfowl including game and bird populations.

"This in turn has triggered extensive breeding and wide dispersal of waterfowl across Eastern Australia's wetlands," she said.

"As a result, Victoria can sustain a return to normal seasonal arrangements in 2011."

But the Coalition Against Duck Shooting's Laurie Levy said the decision was "irresponsible" as Victorian waterbirds are only just beginning to recover from the drought.

Mr Levy said up to 15 million ducks could be killed over the hunting season.

"This could wipe out every native waterbird in Victoria," he said.

"The decision has nothing to do with science. It's just an excuse by the DSE for another bloody slaughter."