Eight hunters face court summonses for shooting before strictly monitored start times about 7am, intended to prevent accidental shooting of protected species in dim light.

Hunters shooting early or without a licence can be fined more than $1000, while shooting threatened species can incur fines of more than $28,000 and imprisonment of up to two years.

Sale police booked 15 protesters for breaches of the Wildlife Act, including entering the wetlands before their designated time of 10.30am.

Two protesters who destroyed duck hunters' camouflaged ''hides'' were also arrested at Dowd Morass in Gippsland.

Protesters said ducks were scarce and only a few were killed at the popular spot, highlighting the need to ban hunting. ''It's been a bit worrying in the sense that there's no ducks,'' said Victorian Greens MP Sue Pennicuik, who helped duck-rescue teams.

But Field and Game Australia chairman Russell Bate said that floods in Queensland and northern NSW were helping to restore bird populations.