Poachers to be hunted

[MeccaOz]

Heads up for those affected in NSW, make sure EVERYTHING is in order when your out hunting.

http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/story/2326818/poachers-to-be-hunted/?cs=1514

[bigfellascott]

They are after everyone who doesn't comply with the rules as far as I can tell going by the story, not only will they target your firearms compliance but no doubt your vehicle too.

Last long weekend they had road blocks just out of Lithgow targeting 4wds and those going camping etc, they searched vehicles etc for any signs of illegal activities etc, no doubt they caught a few who weren't complying with firearms storage regs etc.

[gherx]

They had a big operation outside Mansfield here in Victoria a 2 months ago or something.

Checking licenses, game permits, game and calibres, the lot.

Sounds like Lithgow too, pulling over everyone in a 4WD type vehicle.

[chilliman]

Good!

Those that don't play by the rules give all of us a bad name.

[whert]

no doubt they caught a few who weren't complying with firearms storage regs etc.

You have storage regs in your cars in NSW?

[VICHunter]

Good!

Those that don't play by the rules give all of us a bad name.

I'm all for that, gotta agree with some of the comments on the article though.

The term "illegal hunting" is completely inappropriate IMO.

You're either a hunter, or a poacher. Not both.

IMO, they make it sound like all hunters are just itching to do it illegally and it's only these crackdowns that are keeping them at bay.

Unfairly paints a poor picture of the law abiding shooting community IMO.

[nords]

Sounds like they're just aching to close state forests on you boys again.

All the best with it.

[bigfellascott]

no doubt they caught a few who weren't complying with firearms storage regs etc.

You have storage regs in your cars in NSW?

Yes mate apparently we do - its a bit of a grey area in places (especially when leaving a vehicle unattended) etc.

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/ass ... h_2012.pdf

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/ass ... y_2013.pdf

[MeccaOz]

After reading those regs mate, it seems if you belong to the "Department of Environment and Climate Change" you may travel with loaded firearms... WTF ???

EDIT : Ok after sussing that one out a bit, it seems Park Rangers come under the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Cant say Ive ever run into an armed Park Ranger, but I assume they would have access to firearms in the course of there jobs.

[bigfellascott]

After reading those regs mate, it seems if you belong to the "Department of Environment and Climate Change" you may travel with loaded firearms... WTF ???

EDIT : Ok after sussing that one out a bit, it seems Park Rangers come under the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Cant say Ive ever run into an armed Park Ranger, but I assume they would have access to firearms in the course of there jobs.

I vaguely remember a story about a Ranger or something like that having his rifle stolen or sitting on a seat in his car and someone calling the cops or something, usual media beat up about it.

There was a story recently about fella's having to front court because they had a knife on them (pig hunters from memory) - crazy laws.

For me depending on where I'm going ie local or travelling further, local I put my rifle in a rifle bag, ammo and all my other gear is stored in a locked ammo box, if travelling further I have a steel box I mount to the ute to store my rifles in that.

I've heard of people being done for not securing the ammo correctly (ie had a round sitting on the floor after a night/day of shooting type thing) which can be an easy thing to happen especially at night spotlighting in the heat of battle so too speak, I do a quick search of the vehicle and pick up all the empties etc and make sure everything is secure before heading home (that includes the knives which get locked away with the ammo).

I don't need the hassles or expense to defend what to me are essentially over the top regs/rule whatever you want to call them.

[MeccaOz]

I vaguely remember a story about a Ranger or something like that having his rifle stolen or sitting on a seat in his car and someone calling the cops or something, usual media beat up about it.

There was a story recently about fella's having to front court because they had a knife on them (pig hunters from memory) - crazy laws.

For me depending on where I'm going ie local or travelling further, local I put my rifle in a rifle bag, ammo and all my other gear is stored in a locked ammo box, if travelling further I have a steel box I mount to the ute to store my rifles in that.

I've heard of people being done for not securing the ammo correctly (ie had a round sitting on the floor after a night/day of shooting type thing) which can be an easy thing to happen especially at night spotlighting in the heat of battle so too speak, I do a quick search of the vehicle and pick up all the empties etc and make sure everything is secure before heading home (that includes the knives which get locked away with the ammo).

I don't need the hassles or expense to defend what to me are essentially over the top regs/rule whatever you want to call them.

Yeah I'm the same way mate, but I live in the state which thinks empty brass is loaded and is a weapon in itself ... Too bad if I miss a case a mate has fired off the back of ute, and i dont have a gun licensed for that ammo

[bigfellascott]

Yeah I'm the same way mate, but I live in the state which thinks empty brass is loaded and is a weapon in itself ... Too bad if I miss a case a mate has fired off the back of ute, and i dont have a gun licensed for that ammo

Bloody stupid laws alright, only people they catch are those who aren't intentionally doing something wrong - a law that needs a rethink I reckon.

[Norton]

The term "illegal hunting" is completely inappropriate IMO.

You're either a hunter, or a poacher. Not both.

IMO, they make it sound like all hunters are just itching to do it illegally and it's only these crackdowns that are keeping them at bay.

Unfairly paints a poor picture of the law abiding shooting community IMO.

Hear, hear.

[Lorgar]

I don't need the hassles or expense to defend what to me are essentially over the top regs/rule whatever you want to call them.

I'm the same. I do quite a few things which are 'over the top' just to save myself the potential hassle.

For instance (and don't quote me on this) I'm 99% sure you don't legally have to remove your bolt while transporting a rifle in Victoria.

All the documents, safety books, website FAQs etc. all say you should for safety (which is fine), but as far as I know there is no legislation which says you must remove it.

It seems though that through Chinese whisper and various (mis)interpretations, I've observed that many people think you legally do have to remove it. I've also read of people being subject to a lot of grief when an authority figure, be it a ranger, police, or whoever, has objected to the bolt being in someone's rifle during transport.

I'm not really criticising them for making the mistake either. To be fair, a cop pulling you over for a random stop can't be expected to know every piece of legislation and law inside out, back to front and upside down. Mistakes or misinterpretations are going to happen.

Having said that... Regardless of what I'm allowed to do, I have no desire to put myself through the grief of proving I did nothing wrong when someone else mistakenly believes I have.

For the reason I always have the bolt out. Ammo locked in a container. Never leave a rifle unattended in the car even for a minute, unless my partner (licensed) is there to watch them and so on.

As in most things, a few minutes extra work now can save your hours or days grief later.

My 2c.

[bigfellascott]

I don't need the hassles or expense to defend what to me are essentially over the top regs/rule whatever you want to call them.

I'm the same. I do quite a few things which are 'over the top' just to save myself the potential hassle.

For instance (and don't quote me on this) I'm 99% sure you don't legally have to remove your bolt while transporting a rifle in Victoria.

All the documents, safety books, website FAQs etc. all say you should for safety (which is fine), but as far as I know there is no legislation which says you must remove it.

It seems though that through Chinese whisper and various (mis)interpretations, I've observed that many people think you legally do have to remove it. I've also read of people being subject to a lot of grief when an authority figure, be it a ranger, police, or whoever, has objected to the bolt being in someone's rifle during transport.

I'm not really criticising them for making the mistake either. To be fair, a cop pulling you over for a random stop can't be expected to know every piece of legislation and law inside out, back to front and upside down. Mistakes or misinterpretations are going to happen.

Having said that... Regardless of what I'm allowed to do, I have no desire to put myself through the grief of proving I did nothing wrong when someone else mistakenly believes I have.

For the reason I always have the bolt out. Ammo locked in a container. Never leave a rifle unattended in the car even for a minute, unless my partner (licensed) is there to watch them and so on.

As in most things, a few minutes extra work now can save your hours or days grief later.

My 2c.

That's pretty much how I see it too mate, easier to just do what you and I both do, rather than have all the hassles and costs that come with defending ones self in court, lock everything away and really they have little to complain about then - well that's my theory on it anyway

[Lorgar]

easier to just do what you and I both do, rather than have all the hassles and costs that come with defending ones self in court

Yeah, who needs all that stress and BS.

Even if it never gets put to the test, peace of mind is a great thing.

[bigfellascott]

easier to just do what you and I both do, rather than have all the hassles and costs that come with defending ones self in court

Yeah, who needs all that stress and BS.

Even if it never gets put to the test, peace of mind is a great thing.

That's in a nutshell mate, I look at it as cheap insurance in a way, better to do what I can to prevent any unnecessary hassles and the associated costs that go with getting pinged.

It can get rather expensive going by my mates effort! - cost him around $10k to defend himself in court (coulda brought a few sakos with that)!

[Lorgar]

It can get rather expensive going by my mates effort! - cost him around $10k to defend himself in court (coulda brought a few sakos with that)!

Bugger

Any details you're able to share on that? What trouble he got into?

(Totally understand if not...)

[bigfellascott]

It can get rather expensive going by my mates effort! - cost him around $10k to defend himself in court (coulda brought a few sakos with that)!

Bugger

Any details you're able to share on that? What trouble he got into?

(Totally understand if not...)

No mate, best not too.

[bigfellascott]

Looks like they caught a few

http://www.southernhighlandnews.com.au/ ... crackdown/

http://www.narrominenewsonline.com.au/s ... g-hunting/

[Westy]

Poachers to be hunted

Good luck with that then!!!! :lol

Although I hear the future King of England and so soccer player are now on the job! Are they for real?

http://www.etcanada.com/blogs/etc_99809 ... de/celebs/

[MeccaOz]

lol Westy all I can of now is Robin Hood.

[Lorgar]

No mate, best not too.

Sure. No worries, just curious.

[Vati]

Looks like they caught a few

More game for us honest hunters now then.

[subatom]

Some expensive looking compound bows there.

Bet that's hurting the wallets of the blokes who lost them. Oh well, that's what you get for doing the wrong thing I suppose.