Caring for the environment

Hunting encourages people to connect with, and to conserve, the natural environment.  This interest stems from continuous and repeated exposure to wildlife and the environment and a hunter’s need to understand the ecology and behaviour of their quarry in order to be an effective hunter.

While a recent economic study identified that hunters make a $439 million economic contribution to the State, hunters also contribute a considerable amount of time and resources to the conservation of wildlife habitats across the landscape. Conservation activities range from wetland rehabilitation, wildlife and pest control programs, nest box construction, revegetation and disease monitoring to name a few.

The frequency with which hunters access the natural environment and remote parts of the state put hunters in a unique position. The Victorian hunting community can expand the valuable role it plays in conservation by linking into existing conservation and surveillance programs which will help maintain a healthy environment that will benefit all Victorians.  A few of these programs are listed below.

Species distribution

The Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA) is a tool for government agencies, environmental consultants, researchers and the public to share information about the distribution and abundance of species in Victoria that feeds into the habitat distribution models. The VBA also includes automatic processes to verify the accuracy of the data and apply new taxonomic updates.

For more information, visit the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas.

Birdata

Originally developed in 2005, the Birdata Atlas provides an online platform for volunteers and researchers to enter bird survey information data and gain feedback about their surveys.

The Birdata app will be the field data entry presence for Birdata. The app is intended to facilitate simple data entry on mobile devices and provides basic reporting functionality. The new Birdata web portal will have enhanced reporting and data management functionality, as well as an improved user experience.

To access the current Birdata Atlas, visit Birdlife Australia.

FeralScan Pest Mapping

Pest animals cause significant damage to our environment, the economy and society. The Feral Scan App can be used at any time to record the location of pest animals in your local area, record the problems they are causing, and record control actions you undertake. Your records will be submitted to the FeralScan community pest animal mapping website www.feralscan.org.au, to help develop and maintain an up-to-date picture of pest animals throughout your region. This information can be used to monitor populations, and to better target pests through coordinated pest control programs.

The App can currently record sightings of rabbits, wild dogs, foxes, feral cats, pigs, mice and fish, with goats, mynas, camels and toads to be added shortly.  For more information on this App, go to the following website.

Fox bounty

Foxes are established pest animals in Victoria. They cannot be eradicated from the state and require ongoing management by all public and private land owners.

Effective fox management requires an integrated approach utilising all available management practices including poison baiting, trapping, exclusion fencing, fumigation and appropriate animal husbandry. Hunting can play an important role in supporting an integrated management approach.

This program rewards eligible Victorian hunters with a $10 bounty reward for each fox killed.  For more information on this program, visit Agriculture Victoria.

Pest and disease surveillance

Hunters already contribute to disease surveillance during the opening weekend of the duck season by providing birds for testing for avian influenza.

Early intervention is critical in a disease outbreak. If you suspect a disease outbreak or have seen something unusual and you’re not sure whether it’s an exotic pest or disease – report it.

To report pests and diseases of animals (including livestock, wildlife, birds and aquatic animals) phone the ​Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24 hours).  You can also report an incident to your local veterinarian, Primary Industries or Agriculture Department or your State Wildlife Health Australia Coordinator.  Further information can be found on the Wildlife Health Australia website.

To report pests and diseases of plants, call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline –1800 084 881 (during business hours).

Weeds

State prohibited weeds are the highest category of declared noxious weeds in Victoria. By definition they are either not yet in Victoria, or are here in small numbers, where their eradication is still possible.

The government aims to prevent the introduction of state prohibited weeds into Victoria and to detect and eradicate any infestations before they become widespread.

By preventing state prohibited weeds from becoming widespread, hunters can help minimise the harmful impact of these species to the economy and habitats relied upon by game species like ducks.

Report any sightings of state prohibited weeds by calling 136 186 or following the instructions on this website

Here are some basic rules you should follow when camping:

• Camp in an existing campsite rather than create a new one and camp at least 20 metres from any creek, lake or wetland (this is to ensure that areas near the water remain available for use by other visitors and to keep the waters free of pollution).
• Only drive on formed tracks and roads. Park immediately adjacent to tracks where it is safe to do so and take care not to damage vegetation around campsites with vehicles.
• Be careful when camping under trees. Trees can lose their limbs at any time, but particularly during high winds.
• Do not dig trenches around tents.
With modern tents, it is unnecessary, particularly if you choose a well-drained or raised site.
• Take your rubbish home. Think before throwing out food scraps as they can be harmful to native animals, and some waste (like fruit peelings) does not decompose quickly. Don't burn or bury rubbish. Burying food waste disturbs the soil and native animals will just dig it up later.
• If you come across other people's rubbish, do the bush a favour and take it out with you.
• Where there is a toilet, use it. Where toilets are not available, choose a spot at least 100 metres from campsites, tracks, streams, swamps, etc, dig a 15 cm hole and bury your waste and toilet paper. Chemical toilets must be removed from campsites and emptied according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Firewood is in short supply in many areas. Gather firewood well away from your camp and use it sparingly, keep it small and be conservative in your use of fuel or – better still – bring your own. Where possible, use a lightweight stove for cooking.
• Use only dead fallen wood. Standing trees, even dead ones, are a home for wildlife and a part of the scenery. Do not cut down or damage standing trees or vegetation.
• Hollow logs are prime real estate for our wildlife and must not be used as firewood.
• Take care with fire – observe all fire regulations and Total Fire Ban days. Use existing fireplaces rather than create your own. Ensure fires are safe and that they are completely extinguished when you leave.
• If dogs are permitted at your campsite, ensure they are adequately restrained to protect wildlife and other campers.
• Protect water quality – wash-up at least 50 metres from streams and avoid using soap (use gritty sand and a scourer instead).
• Leave campsites tidy.

Restrictions apply to having campfires in Victoria. These restrictions are important to reduce the chance of a bushfire that could result in loss of life and property. They are actively enforced.

If you would like to know how to safely light and maintain your campfire, please take a look at this video produced by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

For full details on the use of campfires and barbecues please visit the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Victoria has many beautiful parks, forests and wetlands in which to hunt. In order to maintain the quality of the hunting experience and the habitats that support game and other wildlife, hunters should minimise their impacts on the environment by thoughtfully disposing of waste and litter.

A responsible hunter will always respect the environment in which they hunt.

Collect your empty cases

Pick up all spent shotgun shells and cartridge cases.  Shotgun shells are generally made of plastic and brass and if they are left in the wetland they will remain there as they don't break down.  If not properly disposed of, spent cartridge cases will have a negative impact on the wetland and its inhabitants.

Cleaning ducks

Feathers, offal and carcass remains left on the ground are unsightly for other campers and public land users. Once you have cleaned your duck (remembering the legal requirement to leave at least one fully feathered wing attached to the duck or duck breast), the remains should be buried in a site clear of vegetation and at least 50 metres away from water.

Deer remains

A responsible hunter will ensure that very little of the animal he is hunting is wasted.  Hunters should recover as much of the deer as possible and this may involve making multiple trips or calling for assistance to help carry out the deer.

The sight of a dead or dismembered deer or other deer remains can be quite confronting to children or other non-hunting members of the public. Deer remains should never be left at a campsite, in a waterway, on, or near, a track, road or someone's dwelling. Always dispose of deer remains thoughtfully, in some cases this may involve burial of waste.

Penalties

Authorised Officers are empowered to investigate and prosecute alleged littering offences on public land, including the improper disposal of animal remains.

People committing a littering offence under the Environment Protection Act 1970 can be liable to a maximum penalty of $5,904.