The program, introduced in 2011, rewards eligible Victorian hunters with a $10 bounty for each fox killed, and $120 for each wild dog killed.

Recent figures from the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) indicated there have been 64,182 foxes and 307 wild dog scalps handed in so far this calendar year.

“We have an excellent trapper at the moment, he’s got new methods, and lots of cameras and stuff, it’s bloody sensational.”

“Every tool is good, and baiting has certainly helped us, but there must still be shooters and trappers.

“We did have a big problem and things have happened. We ended up in this baiting program, where farmers are given bait for free and you put it in the bush and on your farm – I believe that really helped,” Mr Fraser said.

Ensay beef producer Peter Fraser said incidents of fox and wild dog attacks had dropped significantly at his property in recent years, thanks to local initiatives.

To ensure scalps are from Victorian animals, the applicant must provide evidence of residency, and sign an acknowledgment that the animal was from Victoria.

“Hunting has an important role in supporting an integrated management approach to mitigate impacts of fox predation,” they said.

The spokesperson said the scheme played an essential role in engaging Victorian hunters in pest control.

“Effective management requires an integrated approach utilising all available management practices including poison baiting, trapping, exclusion fencing, fumigation and appropriate animal husbandry.”

“Foxes and wild dogs are established pest animals in Victoria that cannot be eradicated from the State, and require ongoing management by all landowners,” the spokesperson said.

A DEDJTR spokesperson said the bounty scheme is one of many approaches that it supports.

Foxes

Eligible applicants must submit an 'entire' fox scalp including both ears, the skin surrounding both eyes and the nose. Individual entire fox scalps can be air dried, frozen or fresh.

Entire fox scalps submitted in batches must be able to be readily separated into individual scalps for identification and counting.

No blocks of frozen entire fox scalps will be accepted. No putrefying material will be accepted.

No other body parts other than an entire fox scalp including both ears, the skin surrounding both eyes and the nose will be accepted.

Wild dogs

Eligible applicants must submit an entire single piece of skin and fur running from the snout, incorporating the ears, along the animal's back and including the tail.

The skin must be submitted in a manner that enables it to be easily identified as a wild dog; for example, being flat and air dried.

No blocks of frozen wild dog skin pieces will be accepted. Frozen material must be defrosted prior to being submitted. No putrefying material will be accepted.

No other body parts other than an entire single piece of skin and fur running from the snout incorporating the eats along the animal's back and including the tail will be accepted.

Wild dog control areas