community, illegal, hunting, hume, police, commander

Illegal hunting is fast becoming a major issue within our rural communities. The NSW Police Force and the Department of Primary Industries are currently working together to reduce illegal hunting using the ‘Shut the Gate’ initiative, which gives the community the ability to report illegal hunting through crime stoppers or via an online form. You must have permission to hunt on private land from the owner or manager of the land. To assist with this there is an app that can be downloaded onto your mobile phone called ‘Get Permission’ that connects hunters and landholders to facilitate permission to hunt on private land. Information on that app can be found on the DPI website at dpi.nsw.gov.au In NSW, hunters are required to hold a valid hunting licence if they are hunting on public land, or if they are hunting deer or other game animals on private land. A licence isn’t required if you are hunting pigs, dogs (except dingoes), cats, goats, rabbits, hares or foxes on private land; but if those animals are in the wild or on public land you have to have a licence. Licences must be carried and produced upon demand whilst hunting. If you are hunting with dogs, they must be microchipped and have a collar with a metal tag depicting the owners name, address and phone number on it. If you are using dogs to hunt pigs on public land they must only locate or hold up the pigs and you must ensure that they don’t inflict unnecessary pain on the pigs. For single hunters there is a maximum of three dogs, and for groups the maximum is five dogs and they must be microchipped, wear an identification collar, and must wear a tracking collar or be on a lead. There are heavy penalties for illegal hunting on private land without permission. The offence of Aggravated Unlawful Entry on Inclosed Lands has a maximum penalty of $5500. There are also penalties for dogs being unregistered, not microchipped and being dangerous. Some things to look out for to help stop illegal hunting would be spent cartridges, signs with bullet holes, dead/injured animals with gunshot trauma, arrows left in paddock, unusual vehicles, vehicles without registration plates or stray hunting dogs. If you see anything like this or have any information in relation to illegal hunting call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or give your local police a call and so we check it out. Help us to stamp out illegal hunting in your community.

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