Laws

Spotlighting laws

A spotlight is defined as a source of artificial light, infrared, night vision or thermo-imaging device but does not include a source of light used for domestic purposes, emergency purposes or a light fitted to a motor vehicle that complies with any requirement in the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulation 2021 relating to a light of that kind.

Spotlighting involves a person using a spotlight to hunt animals.

Is spotlighting legal for recreational game hunting?

It is illegal to hunt any game deer, duck, Stubble Quail or other game birds at night. The use of spotlights for recreational hunting of any game species is prohibited, with the exception of hand-held thermo-imaging devices during the day only. See ‘Thermo-imaging devices’below for more information.

Illegal spotlighting is dangerous and unethical. Illegal spotlighting can result in firearm-related incidents, including injuries to persons or wildlife or damage to property.

Is spotlighting legal for hunting pest animals?

Pest animals can be hunted at night with spotlights on private property and some public land that is not recognised deer habitat. See below for more information on recognised deer habitat.

Pest animals are non-indigenous species including rabbits, hares, foxes, pigs goats, feral cats and wild dogs.

Note, the recreational hunting of pest animals on Crown land does not extend to feral cats and wild dogs/dingoes. Only public land managers and their agents can shoot feral cats and wild dogs/dingoes on Crown land.  Spotlights can be used to assist in the control of feral cats and wild dogs where that activity is permitted. See Pest animals - Game Management Authority for more information.

Can you spotlight game animals that are causing damage to crops or other assets?

Spotlights can be used to control game species where they are causing damage to assets, such as crops, pasture, re-vegetation plantings, gardens, or damage to infrastructure, such as fences and farm dams.

Controlling game species in these circumstances is not recreational hunting, but is part of managing the impacts of wildlife. Permission to control game using spotlights is provided for under the Wildlife Act 1975, including with an Authority to Control Wildlife, a Governor in Council Order or other legal instruments. These permissions will include certain conditions.  For more information about the control of wildlife, including game species, contact the Conservation Regulator on 136 186 or visit Wildlife management and control authorisations | vic.gov.au

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Under the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024, a person must not:

  • possess a spotlight and a firearm in recognised deer habitat from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise
  • possess a spotlight and be in the company of a person possessing a firearm in recognised deer habitat from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

However, you may possess a firearm and a spotlight in recognised deer habitat during these times, as long as firearm/s and ammunition are secured and spotlights are not in use. ‘Please see ‘Possession of a spotlight and firearm when in a vehicle’ and ‘Possession of a spotlight and firearm when on foot’ below for more information.

Recognised deer habitat is defined as all areas of Crown land in the following Victorian municipalities:

  • Alpine Shire Council
  • Ararat Rural City
  • Baw Baw Shire Council
  • Benalla Rural City Council
  • Cardinia Shire Council
  • Colac-Otway Shire Council
  • Corangamite Shire Council
  • East Gippsland Shire Council
  • Glenelg Shire Council
  • Horsham Rural City Council
  • Mansfield Shire Council
  • Mitchell Shire Council
  • Moyne Shire Council
  • Murrindindi Shire Council
  • Northern Grampians Shire Council
  • Pyrenees Shire Council
  • South Gippsland Shire Council
  • South Grampians Shire Council
  • Strathbogie Shire Council
  • Towong Shire Council
  • Wangaratta Shire Council
  • Wellington Shire Council
  • West Wimmera Shire Council
  • Whittlesea City Shire Council
  • Yarra Ranges Shire Council

For detailed information on the boundaries of these areas, visit: https://www.viccouncils.asn.au/find-your-council/council-map

Under the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024, hunters can use a hand-held thermo-imaging device during the day (i.e. 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset). These devices must be hand-held only and cannot be fitted to the firearm or a fixture attached to the firearm. Thermal rifle scopes must not be used when attached to a fiream.

Hunters can use the hand-held thermo-imaging device to help locate and identify deer in the field. Hunters must then put aside the thermo-imagining device, ensure that they have positively identified their target and that there are no other people, animals or property/assets in the direction of fire before shooting.

It is unsafe to identify a target by its thermal properties alone; hunters must ensure they positively identify their target and what's behind it and are encouraged to use other tools such as binoculars. A hand-held thermo-imaging device alone is not an acceptable way to identify a target, especially in thick vegetation.

Safe target identification is solely the responsibility of the hunter. If in doubt, don’t shoot.

Hunters travelling in vehicles between 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise in recognised deer habitat can be in possession of a firearm and spotlight as long as:

  • The firearm is unloaded and stored in a securely fastened case or container (e.g. gun bag or gun case) that is stowed in the boot or storage area of a sedan, dual cab, or wagon and is not readily accessible to any occupant of the vehicle.
  • For utes or single cabs, the firearm is unloaded and stored in a securely fastened case or container and stowed in a part of the vehicle not readily accessible to any occupant of the vehicle. The best approach here is to fit a lockable steel box to the tray and store the firearm in there.
  • Any ammunition is stored separately (but not in a glove box) and is in a part of the vehicle not readily accessible by an occupant of the vehicle. Any spotlight in or on the vehicle is not in use.

This video explains when hunters travelling in vehicles can legally be in possession of a firearm and spotlight in recognised deer habitat.

Possession of a spotlight in recognised deer habitat factsheet

Hunters on foot in recognised deer habitat between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise in recognised deer habitat can use an artificial light (e.g. torch or headlamp) for on-foot navigation purposes as long as:

  • The firearm and magazine is unloaded, meaning all cartridges must be removed from the firearm and any magazine.
  • Ammunition is stored in a closed case or container. This could include a backpack or cartridge case.
  • Any artificial light or thermos-imaging device is not fitted to the firearm or fixture attached to the firearm. No spotlight can be fitted to any part of the firearm or a scope or other fitting attached to the firearm.

This  video explains when hunters on foot can legally be in possession of a firearm and spotlight in recognised deer habitat.

  • Persons using hand-held thermo-imaging devices during the day (i.e. between 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset) that are not fitted  to a firearm or a fixture attached to the firearm.
  • Landowners/occupiers or their agents or persons accompanying landowners/occupiers or agents who are using a spotlight for the purpose of controlling pest animals to a distance of 250 metres outside the property boundary.
  • The holder of an Authority to Control Wildlife or other authorisation issued under the Wildlife Act 1975 who is acting in accordance with that authorisation.
  • Persons acting in accordance with an authorisation order under the Wildlife Act 1975. This includes public land managers, police officers and their agents and registered veterinarians acting in accordance with the WILDLIFE (CONTROL OF DEER ON PUBLIC LAND) ORDER NO. 1/2022 (GG2022S568.pdf (gazette.vic.gov.au). For more information, contact the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

People caught hunting at night, spotlighting game or possessing a spotlight and firearm in recognised deer habitat may face fines in excess of $3,600, have their equipment seized, including firearms, spotlights and vehicles, and Game and Firearm Licences cancelled.

Report illegal spotlighting

This video explains when hunters on foot can legally be in possession of a firearm and spotlight in recognised deer habitat.

This video explains when hunters travelling in vehicles can legally be in possession of a firearm and spotlight in recognised deer habitat.

This video explains the dangers of illegal spotlighting.

This video explains the penalties for illegal spotlighting.

Page last updated: 19 Dec 2024