Where to hunt

Generally, hunting for pest animals and game species is permitted in all state forests, forest parks (Cobboboonee and Otway) and unoccupied Crown land (i.e. Crown land that is not leased or licensed). However, some restrictions may apply.

Hunters are advised to consult the local DEECA office for specific information about any restrictions that apply to the area of a state forest, forest park or unoccupied Crown land where they wish to hunt. Remember, many people use state forests for recreation and/or their livelihood.

Pest animals may be hunted at any time throughout the year. However, hunting for game species is only allowed during the open season and permitted times for that species. Make sure that you know when the open seasons are. Game species cannot be hunted between 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

Deer hunting by stalking is permitted in the Thomson River Forest Reserve and with the use of hounds or gundogs in parts of the reserve. In this reserve, hunting pest animals is not permitted.

In the Delatite Arm Reserve at Lake Eildon, an unloaded shotgun may be carried during the duck season.

Jack Smith Lake, Dowd Morass, Ewings Morass, Clydebank Morass, Heart Morass and Lake Coleman State Game Reserve are open for Hog Deer hunting during the Hog Deer season. Ewings Morass is open to Sambar Deer hunting.

There are sixteen State Game Reserves open to quail hunting.

Duck hunting can occur in all State Game Reserves. Hunters can also hunt foxes, rabbits and hares on State Game Reserves, with a shotgun and during the open season for duck only

Game species may not be hunted at any time in areas declared to be Sanctuaries. However, pest animals may be hunted.

Major Victorian sanctuaries are Mount Cole Sanctuary, Gunbower Island Sanctuary and Kow Swamp. The location of other sanctuaries should be checked with the local DEECA office.

A number of catchments and reservoirs in the outer metropolitan and central highlands area are controlled by Melbourne Water and are part of the metropolitan water supply system. Public entry to these areas is prohibited.

Carrying and using firearms in these areas is prohibited.

Most national, state, wilderness, coastal and regional parks are closed to hunting at all times. However, you are allowed to hunt in the parks listed below, subject to various conditions.

Hunters must not possess a firearm in, or transport a firearm through, a park (except in some instances) when hunting is prohibited. Also, where hunting is allowed, firearms must only be those calibres or gauges permitted for the species available for hunting in that park.

For further information, contact Parks Victoria on 131 963.

Alpine National Park and Avon Wilderness Park: All deer may be hunted by stalking only in parts of the Alpine National Park and in the whole of the Avon Wilderness Park from 15 February to 15 December. The use of dogs to hunt Sambar Deer is not permitted in these parks. Hog Deer can only be hunted in these areas during April. Pest animals and other species must not be hunted in these parks.

Baw Baw National Park: All deer may be hunted by stalking only in the area east of Thomson Valley Road from 15 of February to 15 December each year. The use of dogs to hunt Sambar Deer is not permitted in this park. Pest animals and other species must not be hunted in this park.

Cape Conran Coastal Park: On Sydenham Inlet in the park, game duck may be hunted during the open season. Dogs are allowed for the flushing or retrieval of ducks during the open season.

Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park: In certain sections, game duck, Stubble Quail and Hog Deer may be hunted in season. Dogs are allowed for the flushing or retrieval of game ducks during the duck season. Check with Parks Victoria for details. Pest animals and other species must not be hunted in this park. Hunters must have a permit from Parks Victoria to erect a hide or to cut vegetation or a hide in the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park.

Lake Albacutya Park: The hunting of pest and feral animals (rabbits, foxes or cats) is allowed, as is the hunting of game duck during the open season. Gun dogs are allowed for retrieval of game ducks during the duck open season. Hunting is not permitted in part of the park at the Western Beach visitor facilities, including near the boat ramp.

Lake Eildon National Park: In certain sections in the south-east of the park, Sambar Deer may be hunted from the first Saturday after Easter until 30 November. The use of dogs to hunt deer is not permitted in this park. Pest animals and other species must not be hunted in this park.

Mitchell River National Park: Sambar Deer hunting by stalking is permitted east of the Mitchell River and south of Hortons and Calvi Tracks from 15 February to 15 December. The use of dogs to hunt deer is not permitted in this park. Pest animals and other species must not be hunted in this park.

Tara Range Park Deer: Hunting (not in the close season) by stalking is permitted in this park from 15 February to 15 December. The use of dogs to hunt deer is not permitted in this park. Pest animals and other species must not be hunted in this park.

Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park: Hunting for Hog Deer and game duck is permitted in certain sections in season. Pest animals and other species must not be hunted in this park.

Parks Victoria is responsible for managing national, state, wilderness, coastal, regional and metropolitan parks and other conservation areas, such as State Game Reserves.

All alpine resorts are closed to hunting at all times. However, you are allowed to transport a dog and firearms through a resort, providing the dogs are in a vehicle and the guns are in a safe and locked compartment.

Game species in season and pest animals may be hunted on leased Crown land, provided that hunters have obtained the permission of the lessee to enter the area.

Remember, people usually use leased land for their livelihood. Never shoot on or across an area of leased Crown land without the permission of the lessee and never shoot across public roads or tracks or towards populated areas, including camping and picnic areas and walking tracks.

If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, contact your local DEECAoffice.

Hunting for game species (during the open season) and pest animals (anytime) is permitted on licensed Crown land. However, some exceptions may apply. If an area is licensed under the Land Act 1958 and is over a road or riparian area, hunters must obtain the permission of the licensee before carrying or using firearms on that area. If an area of Crown land is subject to a license under the Land Act 1958, licensed game hunters do not need to seek permission if they’re travelling through these areas to access other areas of Crown land open to hunting.

If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, or require any further information, contact your local DEECA office.

Game species in season and pest animals may be hunted on private land provided the hunters have obtained the permission of the landowner/manager.

If you are in doubt about the status of a particular area, or require any further information, contact your local DEECA office or Parks Victoria.