If you poach deer, you lose your gear

Two men, from Werribee and Hoppers Crossing have had hunting gear seized and will face court proceedings after they were allegedly caught committing a number of hunting and firearm offences in Whitfield on the night of Friday 9 March 2018.

Two men, from Werribee and Hoppers Crossing have had hunting gear seized and will face court proceedings after they were allegedly caught committing a number of hunting and firearm offences in Whitfield on the night of Friday 9 March 2018.

Game Management Authority (GMA) Chief Executive Officer Greg Hyams said GMA officers teamed up with Victoria Police and inspected the area after a member of the public reported the suspicious behaviour to the local Police.

"A member of the public contacted the local Whitifield Police and reported that two men were spotlighting Sambar Deer along Rose River Road near Cheshunt at approximately 10.00pm," Mr Hyams said.

"The concerned local was also able to provide the registration details of the vehicle. This led the Police and GMA officers back to the residents of the accused where officers found and seized a high-powered firearm and a spotlight and suspended the firearms licence of one of the accused."

"The two men will now face court proceedings for a number of hunting and firearm offences including possessing a firearm and spotlight in deer habitat, hunting game at night and having a loaded firearm on a public road."

Mr Hyams said the GMA and Victoria Police will continue to work together to target illegal hunting in Victoria.

"Illegal hunting and irresponsible behaviour can put people and wildlife at risk and damages the reputation of hunting," Mr Hyams said.

"Hunters need to make sure that they are familiar with the laws and are not illegally in possession of spotlights and firearms in deer habitat."

"Hunters are generally a law-abiding group but there are some who choose to do the wrong thing. Those who choose to break the law can be fined or prosecuted, have their equipment confiscated and lose their game and firearms licences."

For information on how to comply with the spotlighting laws, please check out this fact sheet.

Hunters and the public are urged to report any illegal hunting to the GMA through its website www.gma.vic.gov.au or the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or Victoria Police.