Spotlighting laws

[veep]

Hi all,

Having trouble finding a solid answer on this.

Using spotlights for hunting.

As close as I can get at the moment I think spotlighting for game is illegal, spotlighting for pests is legal?

Right or wrong? Or incomplete?

Thanks.

[FuzzyM]

Incomplete.

You are not allowed to spotlight in any forest that is deer habitat. Even if you had an air rifle and were pest hunting. This includes the use of any torch for any purpose whilst hunting after dusk or something to that effect.

Most state forests in Victoria are deer habitat, unless you head out pas Ballarat or something.

You can only spotlight for game on private property, or on crown land within 200m of the property you are allowed to shoot on.

Probably shouldnt post a link to a file download, so google this and read the pdf:

Possession and use of spotlights in recognised deer habitat victoria

[Aussier]

You are not allowed to spotlight in any forest that is deer habitat. Even if you had an air rifle and were pest hunting. This includes the use of any torch for any purpose whilst hunting after dusk or something to that effect.

Yep. There are a bunch of rules and regs on what and when you can have a light and/or rifle.

In certain situations just the possession of a spotlight and rifle can get you in the poop, even if you're not using them to spotlight.

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

In certain situations just the possession of a spotlight and rifle can get you in the poop, even if you're not using them to spotlight.

My Powabeam is permanently mounted into the roof of my ute. Is there any leeway there considering any where the ute goes the spotlight goes too?

I don't have it wired in the truck though. I have a cable with a plug on one end, switch in the middle and clips on the other so it can drive directly off the battery. Without the cable, I can't connect the spottie.

Theoretically could I still get done even without the cable?

[Aussier]

I'll have to dig up the rules mate.

I think it's more about having them on you, e.g. walking around after sunset with a rifle and torch in-hand, even if you're using the light to navigate and not spotlight.

I'll find the regs for you when I get the chance.

(bear in mind states differ too, I know the above is correct for VIC but maybe no NSW? I'll find it anyway when I can for ya.)

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

Thanks mate! I appreciate it.

[Aussier]

Ok... For Veep and Victoria here is the skinny...

No night hunting

The hunting of game at night (half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise) is not permitted in Victoria.

Artificial lights (spotlights)

Spotlights must not be used to hunt game in Victoria.

A spotlight is defined as any source of artificial light, infrared device, night vision or heat detecting device.

Under the regulations, a spotlight does not include:

• A domestic light used for domestic purposes – this could include lights such as torches, lanterns and work lights used around camp.
• An emergency light used for emergency purposes – such as hand-held torches or headlamps used to navigate out of the bush or 12 volt lights used when working on your vehicle.
• A light fitted to your vehicle that complies with the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009 – this covers all spotlights and work lights that are fitted on your vehicle in a legal manner.

Possession of a spotlight and firearm when in a vehicle

Hunters travelling in vehicles between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise in recognised deer habitat can be in possession of a firearm and spotlight as long as:

• The firearm is unloaded and stored in a securely fastened case or container Victorian Hunting Guide 2013 15 (e.g. gun bag or gun case) that is stowed in the boot or storage area of a sedan, dual cab or wagon and is not readily accessible by any occupant of the vehicle.
• For utes or single cabs, the firearm is unloaded and stored in a securely fastened case or container and stowed in a part of the vehicle not readily accessible by any occupant of the vehicle. The best approach here is to fit a lockable steel box to the tray and store the firearm in there.
• Any ammunition is stored separately (but not in a glove box) and is in a part of the vehicle not readily accessible by any occupant of the vehicle.
• Any spotlight in or on the vehicle is not in use.

Possession of a spotlight and firearm when on foot

Hunters on foot in recognised deer habitat between 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise can carry an artificial light (e.g. torch or headlamp) for on-foot navigation purposes as long as:

• The firearm and magazine is unloaded – this means that all cartridges must be removed from the firearm and any magazine.
• Ammunition is stored in a closed case or container – this could include a backpack or cartridge case.
• Any artificial light is not fitted to the firearm, scope or other fitting attached to the firearm.

Recognised deer habitat

‘Recognised deer habitat’ is defined as all areas of Crown land in the following Victorian municipalities:

• Alpine Shire
• Ararat Rural City
• Baw Baw Shire
• Benalla Rural City
• Cardinia Shire
• Colac-Otway Shire
• Corangamite Shire
• East Gippsland Shire
• Glenelg Shire
• Horsham Rural City
• Mansfield Shire
• Mitchell Shire
• Murrindindi Shire
• Northern Grampians Shire
• Pyrenees Shire
• South Gippsland Shire
• Southern Grampians Shire
• Strathbogie Shire
• Towong Shire
• Wangaratta Rural City
• Wellington Shire
• Whittlesea City
• Yarra Ranges Shire

People exempt from spotlighting laws

Landowners/occupiers or their agents who are using a spotlight for the purposes of controlling pest animals to a distance of 250 metres outside the boundary of their property in recognised deer habitat are exempt.

Any person acting in accordance with an Authority to Control Wildlife or other authorisation issued under the Wildlife Act 1975 that stipulates they can destroy wildlife with the aid of a spotlight are also exempt.

VIC DPI.

I've got the NSW one bookmarked somewhere to dig up too for you Norty...

[Aussier]

Norty,

NSW DPI are a lot less specific about it.

Deer hunting regulations
When hunting deer, hunters must not use:

• spotlights, artificial lights (including infrared devices) or electronic devices that enhance vision or hearing
• sights that project a beam or recorded sounds
• baits, lures, decoys or live animals (except deer callers and planted crops)
• an aircraft, watercraft or motor vehicle.

That's not actually the info I wanted to post but my bookmark is outdated and the longer post I had is gone.

From that shorter version though looks like your good. No mention of possession being forbidden in certain circumstances, they'd have to catch you using it to hunt which you're not doing so obviously they won't.

Without the cable especially, they couldn't suggest (more importantly prove) that you were doing anything wrong when you can show it can't be connected because you've left the cable at home.

I'll try to find the older version I had which had more details but hopefully that's some help.

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

Thanks very much Aussier! I really appreciate your time and effort mate! Thank you!

[Aussier]

No worries mate.

I travel a bit between NSW, VIC and ACT and try to keep apprised of what's happening between them for shooting in case I want to do some while travelling.