No ducking hefty penalties for hunting without licences

Two men have been forced to pay $5,000 each and have had their firearms seized and destroyed for committing a number of hunting and firearm offences in northern Victoria.

Two men have been forced to pay $5,000 each and have had their firearms seized and destroyed for committing a number of hunting and firearm offences in northern Victoria.

Both men recently pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates Court to, using toxic shot and being in possession of a firearm while hunting game ducks without a Firearm or Game Licence, in March 2019.

Game Management Authority (GMA) Director of Compliance and Intelligence Paul Stevens said authorised officers from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) intercepted the men in their vehicle off Guy Road in Wanalta South west of Shepparton.

“Officers conducting a routine patrol intercepted the vehicle and on inspection found seven shot ducks, two shotguns and a leather gun belt holding ammunition,” Mr Stevens said.

“When questioned, the men admitted to hunting without a Firearm or Game Licence.”

“Further infield testing of the shotshells also showed they had been illegally using lead (toxic) shot for duck hunting, which is prohibited in Victoria.”

Mr Stevens said people who hunt game duck in Victoria need to make sure that they hold a valid Game Licence, are familiar with the laws and are not hunting illegally.

“Those who break the law may face significant fines and penalties, be prosecuted, have their equipment confiscated and lose their Game and Firearms Licences,” Mr Stevens said

The GMA works closely with its partner agencies to regularly conduct enforcement and compliance operations across Victoria.

Hunters and the public are urged to report illegal hunting to the GMA through its website www.gma.vic.gov.au or the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186, or by contacting Victoria Police.

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

Media contact: Nick Foster T: 03 8392 2237 | M: 0417 293 365