rules/guidelines to hunting on crown land

[xsbobber]

G'day All,

I grew up hunting in SA and NSW, always on private property. I have recently moved to the Gippsland region and am keen to stalk some deer. I have access to some private land but will also probably do a bit on crown land. Other than complying with fire arms safety and state regs I was wondering if there are any guidelines/good guts or other rules I should know about? It just seems a bit foreign to me to pull over on the side of the public road in a state park or whatever and just walk off into the bush to go hunting....or is it that simple?

Thanks,

[bosi72]

I suggest downloading VicHunting app, then read through all menus.. common sense apply eg daytime hunting only, no spotlight, no uhf etc.. Wrt car parking, I'd rather park my car next to other hunter's cars eg Big River, Morroco, etc..

[Member-Deleted]

I was wondering the same aswell.. I've shot on private property but going to state forest in the next few weeks and it does strike me as odd getting out of the car with a rifle just in case you scare some hikers or something... plus I only have a 2wd sedan so I can't go too deep into the forest :/

[North East]

Leased and licenced crown land permission must be obtained from the licencee prior to hunting.

State Forest and unoccupied crown land hunting is generally allowed.

http://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/where-to-hunt

Use common sense and you will not get into trouble. Follow standard firearm safety...eg don't shoot from or across a track, don't carry a loaded firearm across a track. Caliber restrictions apply for deer hunting. This is regularly policed and the no spotlighting rule. No spotlighting of deer unless on private property with the land owners permission.

Wise to carry maps, compass, GPS and PLB...in case it all goes pear shaped. I'm allowed to hunt 15 minutes from home and there have never been any problems. If you're just chasing bunnies use whatever gun you want...but don't spotlight in deer areas.

[AusTac]

It is pretty weird hey, i've found it really difficult to identify what is huntable land and what isn't going by the depi deer maps, it seems like its hunt at own risk, but generally just common sense, be polite and don't dress all tacticool and have all the usual bush kit

[North East]

It is pretty weird hey, i've found it really difficult to identify what is huntable land and what isn't going by the depi deer maps, it seems like its hunt at own risk, but generally just common sense, be polite and don't dress all tacticool and have all the usual bush kit

Just hunt in the green areas of the maps and you can't go wrong. Thats all I normally do and there are millions of hectares available. Sometimes I hunt in the Alpine National park in areas where it's allowed. The legal hunting areas are pretty well defined. A 4WD is a big advantage. You can wear whatever you want but suggest a blaze orange cap is included.

[KWhorenet]

These maps are quite clear and obvious. They have explanations and restrictions clearly laid out. DEPI are even willing to print them for you in colour.

http://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/where-to-hunt

Go here for the maps to choose from. If you click on them to open them up they will show clearly defined allowed areas and a key with information regarding colour codes and descriptions. *Note: There are more than just green areas.
http://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/ ... n-victoria

[xsbobber]

Thanks for the pointers guys,

Had a look at the Hunting Vic app, definitely some good stuff on there. I think your right, use common sense, follow the rules and apply safe firearms practices and there's not much can go wrong. I think ill go do some recces without the bang stick a few times just to scout the area and get a feel of the place before setting off on a proper stalk.

[monbeg]

Do you need a hunting licence just to hunt not game but just ferals (foxes etc in state forests) in Victoria ?

We pay $23.30 a year in SA for a "hunting" licence, doesn't give you any rights other that you have to carry it even when on private land with permission etc.

[AusC]

It just seems a bit foreign to me to pull over on the side of the public road in a state park or whatever and just walk off into the bush to go hunting....or is it that simple?

More or less.

Just make sure when when returning to said road to unload your rifle before reaching it.

It's illegal or cross or travel along a road with a loaded firearm, even in a state forest where hunting is allowed. If you bumped into a ranger while crossing with a loaded rifle trouble would follow...

[Neal66]

Has anybody come across the issue of crossing through national park to get to state forest and having a .22LR with them if your shooting ferrel or vermin you may use smaller caliber rifles and this would be a problem in the national park even if you are travelling through without stopping

[VICHunter]

When you say 'crossing though and having a 22lr with you', do you mean walking through to get elsewhere while carrying?

If that's what your asking, then yes, that will definitely get you in trouble.

Except for a few exceptions there is no hunting allowed in national parks, and in the eyes of the law no reason/purpose/excuse for carrying a firearm there.

'just passing through' is not an excuse that will fly while carrying.

Personally I avoid national park etc. completely when travelling with firearms. If I'm never in an area where no hunting while transporting I can never be accused or anything or have to justify/explain anything.