A 23-year-old Verona man has been arrested following alleged illegal hunting and firearm offences, with police warning others, “it’s just a matter of time before you get caught.”

In a joint operation involving the NSW Department of Primary Industries – Game Licensing Unit (GLU) and the Rural Crime Prevention Team, the 23-year-old was nabbed during the early hours of last Monday (June 10).

Police say, “the man was driving on Upper Brogo Road (north of Bega) with a registered firearm. He drove past a private property where he has never had permission to hunt and he sighted a large Samba Hybrid (Buck) deer on the property.

“He stopped his vehicle on Upper Brogo Road and shot the buck from the public roadway.

“After shooting the buck he returned his firearm to his vehicle, crossed a fence entering private property, and removed the bucks head from the carcass.”

Three days later, Rural Crime Investigators charged the man at the Bega Police Station. He has had his firearms licence suspended and his three firearms seized.

“The man has been charged with – discharging a firearm in a public place, hunt game animal on private land without a licence, and trespassing,” police report.

“If you intend to hunt illegally be ready to get caught as we are out when you least expect us, weekdays and weekends, it’s just a matter of time before you get caught.

“We have this message for you, change your ways and hunt legally, or it will be only a matter of time before we catchup with you too and put you before the Court,” police say.

The 23-year-old from Verona is due to appear before Bega Local Court on August 13.

If you have information about illegal hunting or firearms offences call your local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.