United front on hunting compliance has impact

Game Management Authority (GMA) officers together with Victoria Police and Parks Victoria combined their efforts and conducted several deer hunting compliance operations over the Queen's Birthday long weekend in the Mansfield region.

Wednesday 14 June 2017

Game Management Authority (GMA) officers together with Victoria Police and Parks Victoria combined their efforts and conducted several deer hunting compliance operations over the Queen's Birthday long weekend in the Mansfield region.

GMA Chief Executive Officer Greg Hyams said the operations included a road block at the Timbertop walking trail on Howqua Track and roving patrols targeting the areas around King River Valley through to Bluff Hut and along Brocks Road to Sheepyard Flats.

"Over the two days 180 people were spoken to and over 50 vehicles were checked," Mr Hyams said.

"A hound hunter camp was inspected near Howqua Hills with ten hunters interviewed. Three hounds were inspected and will be assessed against the breed standard.

"One vehicle was intercepted with two local men who were in possession of firearms and spotlights in deer habitat, they will both receive infringement notices.

"A second vehicle was intercepted with two local men, with a loaded firearm and spotlighting equipment in deer habitat. The firearms and spotlights were seized by police, their firearms licences have been suspended and the two men will receive summons to attend court in the near future.

" Mr Hyams said in all, it was a well-run and cohesive operation. The co-operation between agencies and officers on the ground was first class and this was acknowledged by hunters.

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

"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 fined or prosecuted, have their equipment confiscated and lose their game and firearms licences.

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

The GMA strongly encourages hunters and the broader public to report any suspected illegal hunting activity to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or via the GMA website at www.gma.vic.gov.au or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au For more information on game hunting in Victoria, visit www.gma.vic.gov.au

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