From 1 April 2025, persons with written permission from the Game Management Authority can use Black and Tan and Bluetick Coonhounds that are registered with the Game Management Authority to hunt Sambar Deer during the hound hunting open season.

What Coonhounds can now be used to hunt Sambar Deer?

To be permitted to hunt Sambar Deer, Black and Tan Coonhounds and Bluetick Coonhounds must:

• have a maximum height of 69 cm at the withers
• conform to the breed standard published by the Australian National Kennel Council
• be registered with the Game Management Authority.

What is the 2025 open season for hound hunting?

Hound hunting season opens on 1 April and closes on 30 November, except for the Easter holidays when the season is suspended. In 2025, the hound hunting season is suspended from 18-23 April (inclusive).

Can anyone with a Game Licence endorsed for deer hunting with hound's hunt with Coonhounds?

No.  Only persons that have written permission from the Game Management Authority in addition to having a valid Game License endorsed for Sambar Deer hunting with hounds can use Coonhounds registered with the GMA for the purpose of Sambar Deer hunting.

How can I get permission to use Coonhounds for Sambar Deer hunting?

Anyone that wants to hunt with Coonhounds must have written permission from the Game Management Authority. At the time of hound assessments, hound owners can provide a list of persons who they will be hunting with and receive written permission from the Game Management Authority.

The details to be provided by applicants for a permit are:

• the name of the hound owner whose hounds the applicant will be hunting with
• the applicant’s name and date of birth
• the applicant’s valid email address.

Permits will be emailed to the applicants. These permits should be carried on you when hunting in the field.

What if I want to hunt with different Coonhounds?

Persons that want to change who they hunt with throughout the season will need to email game.licensing@gma.vic.gov.au and provide:

• their name and date of birth
• the name of the hound owner whose hounds the applicant will be hunting with.

Permits will be emailed to the applicant.

How can I organise to get my Coonhounds assessed for registration?

You can register you interest to have your Coonhounds assessed at game.licensing@gma.vic.gov.au

You will be notified of an assessment date and time. The assessment will be held in-person at the GMA depot in East Bendigo.

Alternatively, hound hunters can take Coonhounds to be assessed at official hound assessment days, where it is indicated that Coonhounds can be assessed. www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/hound-hunting-test

Who can assess Coonhounds for the purposes of registration with the Game Management Authority?

The Game Management Authority have contracted an International Breed Judge with Dogs Victoria to conduct the assessments.

I haven’t been provided with a registration number from GMA, what do I display on the hound's collar?

Although hounds will be registered with the GMA, the hound details and a registration number will not be available until changes are made to the licensing system (MyGL).

For the 2025 season, only the full name of the hound owner needs to be displayed on the collar that the Coonhound is wearing.

For all other hound types (Beagle, Harrier and Bloodhound) the full name of the hound owner and the hound registration number issues by the GMA needs to be displayed on the collar that the hound is wearing.

Why can’t existing hound assessors assess Coonhounds?

Current Hound Assessors have not undergone required education and training regarding Coonhound Breed Standards.  Education and training on Coonhound Breed Standards will be provided to existing Hound Assessors prior to the 2026 hound hunting season.

Can my Coonhounds be assessed at current hound assessment days?

Coonhounds can only be assessed if the assessment days have indicated that the International Breed Judge is in attendance.  If the International Breed Judge is not in attendance, then only Harriers, Beagles and Bloodhounds can be assessed.

How do I use Coonhounds that are under 12 months old (pups in training)?

Coonhounds under 12 months of age are not required to be assessed or registered.  However, you will need to obtain a ‘Puppy Authorisation’. To apply for a Puppy Authorisation, email game.licensing@gma.vic.gov.au and provide:

• hound pup name
• hound microchip number
• hound pup date-of-birth
• Game Licence number of applicant

What if I previously presented a hound for assessment and it was rejected as a Coonhound?

Coonhounds that may have previously been rejected can be presented for a new assessment.

When will the Hound Hunting Test and education material be updated?

Education material relating to permitted breeds for hound hunting and the Hound Hunting Test will be updated prior to the 2026 hound hunting season.

Any new Game Licence applicants wishing to hunt Sambar Deer with Coonhounds will still be required to sit the current hound hunting test even though it doesn’t refer to Black and Tan and Bluetick Coonhounds.

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, ethical responsibilities and other information relevant to the hunting of Sambar Deer with the aid of hounds.

There are a total of 22 multiple choice questions in the test. To pass, you must answer 17 (75%) of the questions correctly.

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.