Clearing up plinking in Victorian state forest laws

[jeebo]

Hi guys,

I'm hoping to clear this question up once and for all... Can you plink in Victorian state forest or not?

I know this has probably been touched on and I found another topic with the same question in another shooting forum, but it's just a few people with "thinking" this or that or "never had a problem" and so on, but never a firm "yes, because of laws written here.................."

Can anyone point me to such a thing?

I've been around in circles with people enough on this

[disko]

It's a frustrating one.

I had a quick Google but couldn't find it, but there is a doc from DSE or DPI which says you can get sighted in on a target (aka plinking) but you should do it as little and as quickly as possible.

It basically says it's ok then says that they don't want you doing it.

Not that you can't, but that it's sort of frowned upon and they'd prefer if you didn't.

You'd think giving a clear answer is going to kill them or something

[SendIt]

I'm sure people have said on here before that they've been stopped by rangers when plinking in a state forest.

Showed their license and whatever and all was good.

I think they're more worried about other things like people peppering a bunch of trees and killing them. Not a shooting thing specifically, but comes under "damaging native flora" or something like that.

If you have a plate for signing in, or a dead tree stump or something like that though. No worries?

[jeebo]

You'd think giving a clear answer is going to kill them or something

There are clear answer as well which are just totally wrong, which is even more frustrating

I don't have it handy, but a while ago I was looking through some of the DSE maps, and they specifically show whole areas through water catchment areas where it says you can hunt deer. Spells it all out, word for word in no uncertain terms.

You're not allow to shoot anywhere near a water catchment area though, it's just totally wrong

[Khan]

You're not allow to shoot anywhere near a water catchment area though, it's just totally wrong

Well that sucks.

No doubt you'd still lose your license and all that even though you had 1 map show it was ok, when another says it's not.

Hmmf.

[Blackened]

Regardless of experiences/opinions shared here, your best bet is always to get something in writing from the powers that be if you're in any doubt.

Email vic licensing and registration, DSE and whoever else is relevant and a get a reply in writing.

"But the guy on the forum said..." isn't going to carry much weight if you have a disagreement with a ranger on what you can/can't do.

[Plinker]

I know this is an old thread but did this ever get cleared up?

[marksman]

I know this is an old thread but did this ever get cleared up?

that's a crack up plinker wants to know if he can plink in the state forest

I'm pretty sure it is that they (the DSEWLP, or what ever they call themselves today) don't like it but is an OHS matter being your rifle needs to be sighted or something

[southeast varmiter]

It’s called public land for a reason folks. As long as you are shooting responsibly and not damaging flora etc. there’s no legal issue.

[Archie]

It’s called public land for a reason folks. As long as you are shooting responsibly and not damaging flora etc. there’s no legal issue.

You guys are lucky. You explicitly are not allowed to plink in NSW State Forests, and that includes sighting in. It's bloody annoying; I sort of get why they don't want to turn them into de-facto shooting ranges but I don't see the harm in allowing people to legally confirm their zero.

[bladeracer]

It’s called public land for a reason folks. As long as you are shooting responsibly and not damaging flora etc. there’s no legal issue.

Or leaving empty brass behind.
I seem to find shotgun hulls all over the bloody place, especially on roads and tracks.

[Mr.Seacucumber]

Just email DEWLP and email LRD and you will have a decent answer. Or read the legislation.

[southeast varmiter]

Just email DEWLP and email LRD and you will have a decent answer. Or read the legislation.

And in here is the problem. When you contact them you will get an opinion. Not fact.
Public land in Victoria is just that. Public land. You have full rights to use it reposnsibly.
These people have no idea how to answer your question and will not give benefit of the doubt as they don’t want repercussion to come back if they misguide or misunderstand.
The laws are very clear. Unless there is local changes to land use which needs to be gazetted (which you should check), there is no impediment to land use.