Spotlighting state forest, can it be done or can't it? vic

[Matt Irvine]

Hey guys. I'm from Portland Victoria, and was hoping to try spotlighting the Cobobonee forest and Mount Clay forest.
The law says no spotlighting in recognised dear habitat, but you can shoot pest animals at any time. Is this to say as soon as it goes dark I might as well head home? How does all this work?

Side note; if I'm in the passenger seat shooting; and my mate who dosent have a firearms license is driving, it's all good?

[VICHunter]

This should clear it up mate.

http://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/pest- ... re-to-hunt

Pest animals can be hunted on private property (with the permission of the owner) and in State Forests.

In recognised deer habitat, spotlighting for pest animals can only occur on private property or within 250 metres outside the boundary of private property. This is because it is an offence to be in possession of a spotlight and fiream in recognised deer habitat from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

Outside of recognised deer habitat, pest animal hunting can occur under spotlight on Crown land that permits pest hunting, such as State Forests.

Make note of that middle point too, it's an offence just to be in possession of a spotlight (while you have a firearm) during the twilight hours. They don't have to find you shining it on a deer.

[VICHunter]

Side note; if I'm in the passenger seat shooting; and my mate who dosent have a firearms license is driving, it's all good?

You can do all the usually hunting/shooting activities with an unlicensed person there as long as they don't handle the firearm at any point.

[North East]

Hope your ute or whatever your driving is very off road capable. It illegal to shoot from or across a public road/track.

[tarnagulla]

North East, I know it is unlawful to shoot from or over a public road, but how is a "track" defined?

[KWhorenet]

As far as I can read into it:

- A track/trail is any thoroughfare that is used by vehicles or clearly for walking.

*A set of wheel marks through the scrub. Common sense says not a track.
Worn wheel tracks from regular use or cleared for use by vehicles would clearly be considered a trail/track and no shooting on or across it or carrying of loaded firearm.
If you are driving on what seems like a trail or track it probably is.

[North East]

If you are driving on what seems like a trail or track it probably is.

That's the way I read it to.

[tom604]

spotlight the rabbit,get out the car and/or move off the track,load gun,shoot said rabbit,job done. and that's how i always do it officer is the answer to any question they may ask

[6mmdasher]

Hi Matt
Instead of driving around in the scrub all night getting a wet and cold, how about coming out to the rifle ranges in Portland? We have two down here and you might even learn something new!

[AusC]

Sounds like he's out to bust bunnies not punch paper