United front on hunting compliance has impact

Game Management Authority (GMA) officers together with Victoria Police, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria combined their efforts and conducted several deer hunting compliance operations over the weekend in the north east region.

Game Management Authority (GMA) officers together with Victoria Police, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria combined their efforts and conducted several deer hunting compliance operations over the weekend in the north east region.

GMA Chief Executive Officer Greg Hyams said the operations included a road block at the Buffalo River Road and Rose River Road intersection and roving patrols targeting the areas around Germantown, Freeburg, the western fringe of Mt Beauty and Buckland Valley.

“Over the two days 47 people were spoken to, 29 vehicles were checked and a total of five firearms were seized by Victoria Police,” Mr Hyams said.

“Sixteen hunters were interviewed over a range of issues including firearm and drug offences, hunting deer without a current game licence, using unregistered hounds to hunt Sambar deer, illegal campfires and the illegal possession of a firearm and spotlight in deer habitat.

“In all, it was a well-run and cohesive operation. The interagency co-operation between agencies and officers on the ground was first class. Such unity was noticed and acknowledged by hunters.

“Illegal hunting and irresponsible behavior can put people and wildlife at risk and damages the reputation of hunting.”

Mr Hyams said hunters are generally a law-abiding group but there are some who choose to do the wrong thing, and those who choose to break the law can be prosecuted, have their equipment confiscated and lose their Game and Firearms Licences.

“Game hunting generates jobs and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the State economy, particularly in rural and regional Victoria, and it is vital to the future of hunting that hunters act safely and responsibly at all times,” he said.”

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 on game hunting in Victoria, visit www.gma.vic.gov.au

Media contact: Sarah Hetherington, DEDJTR Media and Communications Adviser on 0409 405 639