To assist hunters to pass the test, the GMA has developed a comprehensive booklet entitled A guide to the use of hounds for hunting Sambar Deer in Victoria. The booklet includes information on licensing requirements, where and when you can hunt, legal hunting methods, safe firearm handling practices, ethical responsibilities and other information relevant to this form of hunting.

The test includes questions on licensing requirements, when you can hunt, legal hunting methods, safe firearm handling practices, ethical responsibilities and other information relevant to the hunting of Sambar Deer with the aid of hounds.

There are a total of 30 multiple choice questions in the test. To pass, you must answer 23 (75%) of the questions correctly. This includes five key questions that must all be answered correctly to gain a pass. The test will take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete.

On the day of your test, you will need to bring the following to the test centre:

• proof of your identity (see below for more details)
• your MyGL account login details (username and password)

Proof of identity

When you sit the Hound Hunting Test you will need to prove who you are by taking certain documents to the test centre. Acceptable documents include any one of the following:

• a current Australian drivers licence
• a passport (not expired by more than two years)
• a current Firearms Licence.

You may also present a birth certificate or Australian naturalisation/citizenship document. However, if you provide either of these documents, you will also need to present another form of identification that includes a photo of yourself, such as a Student Identity Card. Only originals of all these documents will be accepted (photocopies of documents certified or otherwise, will not be accepted).

New licence applicants

If you successfully pass the test and do not have a current Game Licence, you will need to apply for a Game Licence to hunt Sambar Deer with the aid of hounds.

To apply for a Game Licence, please go to our online licensing system MyGL.

Existing licence applicants

If you pass the test and have a current Game Licence which includes 'Deer (Stalking)', you will need to go to our online licensing system, MyGL, and add 'Hounds' to your existing licence. We will then send you an updated licence free of charge. Your new licence will read 'Deer (Stalking and Hounds)'.

If you have a Game Licence, but it does not include a 'deer' component, you will need to go to our online licensing system, MyGL, and add 'Deer Stalking and Hounds' to your existing licence.

Please note that an administration fee will apply to amend your licence if it does not already include a 'deer' component. You will also be required to pay the difference between the cost of your existing licence and the licence to hunt Sambar Deer with the aid of hounds. Upon receipt of payment, an updated licence will be sent to you.

All hounds used to hunt Sambar Deer in Victoria must be registered with, or authorised by, the Game Management Authority (GMA).

To transfer ownership of a registered hound from the currently registered owner to another person, the new owner must submit the transfer request. Go to our online licensing system, MyGL, to complete your transfer request. A separate transfer request is required for each hound being transferred.

All hounds over 12 months of age must be presented to and assessed by an approved hound assessor. Only pure Beagles, pure Harriers and pure Bloodhounds conforming to the relevant ANKC breed standard and height limit prescribed in the Wildlife (Game) Interim Regulations 2023 can be recommended for registration.

Beagles must not exceed 40 cm at the withers, Harriers must not exceed 53.5 cm at the withers and Bloodhounds must not exceed 69 cm at the withers.

In order to effectively assess a hound against the breed standard, the hound must be a minimum of 12 months old to ensure it exhibits adult characteristics. Mature hounds that have been assessed and conform to the relevant ANKC breed standard and the prescribed height limit will be registered for life after being accepted by the GMA.

Note: Life-time registration remains in place until the hound dies, is transferred to a new owner, surrendered, suspended, or cancelled.

As hounds under 12 months of age cannot be effectively assessed against the ANKC Breed Standards and legal requirements specified in the Wildlife (Game) Interim Regulations 2023, they cannot be recommended to the GMA for life-time registration. Hounds under 12 months of age may still be used to hunt Sambar Deer, however there is no requirement for them to be assessed against the ANKC Breed Standards and height requirements. In order to use hounds under 12 months of age to hunt Sambar Deer, hunters must obtain a written authorisation from the GMA.

Owners of hounds under 12 months of age must seek written authorisation from the GMA to use such hounds for hunting Sambar Deer. To apply for authorisation of a hound under 12 months of age, go to our online licensing system MyGL.

Hound owners using hounds under 12 months of age for Sambar Deer hunting must carry the authorisation with them at all times while hunting.

Hound owners using hounds under 12 months of age for Sambar Deer hunting must also the pass the Hound Hunting Test and have a Game Licence that authorises the use of hounds.

Unregistered hounds or hounds without authorisation from the GMA must not be used to hunt Sambar Deer.

Please complete the Authorisation of hound pups application form here.

The registration of a hound may be cancelled if:

• that hound subsequently displays any characteristics outside the breed standards or height requirements;
• the hound is found in circumstances that contravene the Wildlife (Game) Interim Regulations 2023; or
• the owner is found guilty of an offence under the Wildlife Act 1975.
• requested by the hound owner.

If a hound has its registration cancelled, a notice of cancellation advising of the reasons for cancellation will be forwarded to the registered hound owner to allow him or her to make a submission to the GMA on why the hound's registration should not be cancelled.