A FREE mobile phone application to help stop illegal hunting on farmland has been launched in NSW.

The “Get Permission” app allows hunters to request and store permissions from landowners as well as store copies of licences, should they be requested.

The app also allows landowners to authorise hunters to hunt on their land and review permissions they have granted and revoke them at any time.

NSW Police rural crime investigation officers worked with the NSW Department of Primary Industries to develop the technology as part of a state-wide initiative called “Stop the Gate on Illegal Hunting”.

It was launched at the Royal Sydney Easter Show yesterday by DPI’s Game Licensing Unit director Andrew Moriarty and NSW Police’s State Rural Crime Coordinator, Det-Insp Cameron Whiteside.

“Hunters not having permission from landholders and land managers to hunt on both private and public land continues to be an issue,” Dr Moriarty said.

“The message is simple — get permission.”

The app, which has been designed for use in NSW only, is available from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

The launch comes as police in the Southern Tablelands area of NSW have warned landowners to be on the lookout for illegal shooters after an Angus steer was found dead on a property near Yarra, near Goulburn.

“The animal is believed to have died after being shot by an unknown person,” a police spokesman said.

“Police suspect the person or persons responsible killed the animal with the intention of stealing the carcass.

“The actual offence of ‘wilfully kill any cattle with intent to steal the carcass, or skin, or other part’, carries a term of imprisonment of up to 14 years.”

Anyone with information on illegal shooting or stock theft can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to provide information anonymously.