It said: ''Many are also highly competent marksmen who target shoot at ranges and refine their hunting capacity through the purchase of specialised equipment … and following a code of conduct which incorporates adherence to welfare standards, responsible firearms and environmental use.

''In contrast to them are a large group of unlicensed hunters, a significant proportion of who hunt illegally on public land. Many of these have far more limited education and training, their use of firearms is often associated with the use of alcohol and other socially irresponsible behaviour, and they frequently hunt at night to avoid detection.''

Of the four hunting-related deaths in NSW since 2000, none of the victims or people involved held an R-licence, according to a study commissioned by Game Council NSW.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Game Council are working on an enforcement strategy to reduce illegal hunting in national parks but bushwalking and conservation advocates say the council is not equipped to manage this extra task and is actively pro-shooting rather than pro-conservation.

The Game Council employs just four full-time staff who already oversee shooting in 1.75 million hectares of state forests. With the addition of another 2 million hectares, that would give each council employee the equivalent of nearly 1 million hectares of land to oversee.