Tough penalty imposed for spotlighting deer

The Sunshine Magistrates Court has ordered a man to forfeit his hunting gear and pay a total of $2500 for illegally spotlighting deer in recognised deer habitat near Wangaratta last March.

The Sunshine Magistrates Court has ordered a man to forfeit his hunting gear and pay a total of $2500 for illegally spotlighting deer in recognised deer habitat near Wangaratta last March.

Game Management Authority (GMA) Chief Executive Officer Greg Hyams said the penalty was imposed as the man had breached a number of deer hunting and firearm offences.

“GMA officers and Victoria Police approached the man during a routine patrol after he was observed shining a red spotlight from the driver’s window of his car while parked in the middle of the road,” Mr Hyams said.

“On closer inspection, officers found the man in possession of a loaded high powered rifle with a torch attached to the scope, a red filtered spotlight, ammunition, hunting knives and a freshly decapitated Sambar Deer head.”

“Possession of spotlights and unsecured firearms in recognised deer habitats 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise is an offence under the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2012.”

Mr Hyams said GMA Officers and Police will continue to conduct operations targeting those who illegally spotlight deer from public roads and on public land at night.

“Hunters are generally a law-abiding group. However, there are some who choose to do the wrong thing, and those who choose to break the law will be prosecuted, may have their equipment confiscated and may lose their Game and Firearms Licences,” Mr Hyams said.

“Spotlighting deer on public land without authority is illegal, as is carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle on a public thoroughfare and hunting from a vehicle. Illegal spotlighting from public roads is dangerous and impacts the reputation of legitimate hunters.”

“The GMA provides information on when, where and how to hunt legally in Victoria, including via the Game Hunting Victoria phone app, the annual Victorian Hunting Guide and GMA website, so there’s no excuse not to know the game hunting laws.”

The GMA and Victoria Police will continue to conduct routine patrols and operations targeting illegal spotlighters.

“GMA strongly encourages hunters and the broader public to report hunters doing the wrong thing by calling the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or the Victoria Police.”

For more information regarding hunting in Victoria, please visit www.gma.vic.gov.au Media contact: Nick Foster 03 83926254