Hunting in VIC, is generally unrestricted in ALL FORESTS, all State Forests thats is, even game species (deer) with the game licence...so we are quite lucky... we
can even hunt in a few National Parks, subject to seasons (be aware of when and where you hunt).
A common question raised around here is WHERE is the state forest...... even before you think about where the deer are...
Answer;
DO NOT try finding the forests with GOOGLE maps.. for some strange reason
, and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say they simply dont have the info/data/resources to correctly identify and label every piece of public land...... but the cynic in me say theres an ulterior motive..
Example; the recent story of the Sambar or Red deer crossing the murray into VIC side to inhabit the Gunbower State Forest..... search google maps; nothing, it will come up with a reference to Gunbower Island State Forest (none such) and #google# will direct you to the Gunbower NATIONAL PARK!..(can you see the problem there??). There is a Gunbower Island Forest Drive through forest and park.... but no G.I.Forest. There certainly is a Gunbower State Forest, and its around that area, but google wont tell you....
If you want to find where the forest is you need to use the
Game maps, or the
Forest Explorerwebsite, both State Government run.....
GMA maps, follow either 'grampians' or 'eastern Victoria' links a few lines down...
The Game maps are handy if you can read the grid references, as the penalties are nothing to sneeze at if you head into a no-go zone.... speaking of zones, there are stacks of areas within the SF plantation areas that have public safety zones that you are excluded from, and can be driven out of by rangers or forestry types....
There are many categories of public land, State Forest, Nat Park, state Park, sanctuaries, reserves, even game reserves... a good resource is the hunting guide... I'll have to find a link....
Moral of the story, google is not your friend.
For forest locations, dont rely on google, go to the source (as above)...
I might send a note to google about this one, and highlight the significance to the error to hunters... in Vic...
Happy hunting