Pest animals - Game Management Authority

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=0" />    <meta name="Description" content="" /> <meta name="Keywords" content="" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.description" content="" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.keywords" content="" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.language" content="en-AU" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC5646" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.type" content="text" scheme="DCTERMS.DCMIType" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.creator" content="Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.publisher" content="Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.rights" content="https://gma.vic.gov.au/copyright" scheme="DCTERMS.URI" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.rightsHolder" content="State Government of Victoria" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.coverage" content="Victoria" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.title" content="Pest animals - Game Management Authority" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.identifier" content="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/pest-animals" scheme="DCTERMS.URI" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.created" content="2019-08-14" scheme="DCTERMS.ISO8601" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.modified" content="2025-01-09" scheme="DCTERMS.ISO8601" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.issued" content="2019-12-09" /> <meta name="AGLSTERMS.aggregationLevel" content="collection" /> <meta name="DCTERMS.subject" content="Game management" /> <meta name="robots" content="INDEX" />  <meta property="og:site_name" content="Game Management Authority" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Pest animals "> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/pest-animals" /> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="Game Management Authority" /> <meta property="og:description" content="" /> <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta property="twitter:site" content="" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/814377/gma-thumbnail.jpg" />   <meta name="Button1text" content="" /> <meta name="Button1url" content="" /> <meta name="Button1urlexternal" content="" /> <meta name="Button2text" content="" /> <meta name="Button2url" content="" /> <meta name="Button2urlexternal" content="" /> <meta name="Button3text" content="" /> <meta name="Button3url" content="" /> <meta name="Button3urlexternal" content="" />  <meta name="Image" content="488508" /> <meta name="Imagestate" content="off" /> <meta name="Caption" content="hide" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0006/446154/dist/images/favicon.ico"> <title> Pest animals - Game Management Authority</title>   <link href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0020/471071/dist/css/main.css?h=dfc2704" rel="stylesheet"> <style> main .container a {color: #496965;} .section-description .accordion a, .section-description .accordion p {font-size:14px!important;} </style> <script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-52513362-1', 'auto'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script>   <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=DC-10871674"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-HD09EF0VC4'); gtag('config', 'DC-10871674'); </script>   <script> !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '276941134348563'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); </script> <noscript><img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=276941134348563&ev=PageView&noscript=1" /></noscript>   </head> <body>   <div> <a class="skip-main" href="#main-content" tabindex="1">Skip to main content</a> </div> <div class="blurBackground"></div> <nav id="earth-global-header" class="navbar "> <div class="container"> <div class="header-hamburger-button" tabindex="1" aria-label="Open menu"> </div> <div class="header-hamburger-close" tabindex="1" aria-label="Close menu"> </div> <a id="website-title" href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au"><img src="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/473965/gma-logo.png" alt="Game Management Athority" /></a> <div class="mobile-controls-container"> <div class="mobile-search-button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open search input"> </div> <div class="mobile-search-close-button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Close search input"> </div> </div> <div id="earth-header-right"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-6 vic-gov-logo-container"> <a href="https://vic.gov.au"><img src="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0006/446154/dist/images/logo-Vic-simple.svg" alt="Victorian Government logo"></a> </div> <div class="col-sm-12 col-lg-6" id="header-search-component-container"> <div class="input-group mb-3" id="header-search-component"> <form method="get" action="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/search"> <input type="text" class="form-control" name="query" placeholder="Search" aria-label="Search" autocomplete="off"> <div class="input-group-append"> <button id="header-search-button" aria-label="Search"> <svg width="17px" height="18px" viewBox="0 0 17 18" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g id="icon-search" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M16.7702762,15.7164887 L12.555126,11.5013385 C13.5486971,10.2970098 14.1207532,8.73138259 14.1207532,7.07543072 C14.1207532,3.16136266 10.9593906,0 7.04532251,0 C3.13125445,0 0,3.16136266 0,7.07543072 C0,10.9894988 3.16136266,14.1508614 7.07543072,14.1508614 C8.76149081,14.1508614 10.2970098,13.5486971 11.5013385,12.5852342 L15.7164887,16.8003844 C15.8670297,16.9509255 16.047679,17.011142 16.2584366,17.011142 C16.4691941,17.011142 16.6498434,16.9509255 16.8003844,16.8003844 C17.0713584,16.4691941 17.0713584,16.0175708 16.7702762,15.7164887 Z M1.50541079,7.07543072 C1.50541079,4.00439271 4.00439271,1.50541079 7.07543072,1.50541079 C10.1464687,1.50541079 12.6454507,3.97428449 12.6454507,7.07543072 C12.6454507,10.176577 10.1464687,12.6454507 7.07543072,12.6454507 C4.00439271,12.6454507 1.50541079,10.1464687 1.50541079,7.07543072 Z" id="Search" fill="#ffffff" fill-rule="nonzero"></path> </g> </svg> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav>  <div id="nav-tabs-container"> <div id="nav-tabs"> <ul class="nav"> <li class="nav-item current" data-index="477079"> <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting"> <span>Hunting</span> </a> <li class="nav-item " data-index="477083"> <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing"> <span>Licensing</span> </a> <li class="nav-item " data-index="482174"> <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement"> <span>Enforcement </span> </a> <li class="nav-item " data-index="477087"> <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education"> <span>Education</span> </a> <li class="nav-item " data-index="477091"> <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research"> <span>Research</span> </a> <li class="nav-item " data-index="477095"> <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies"> <span>Laws</span> </a> <li class="nav-item " data-index="477109"> <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us"> <span>About Us</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="nav-menu-large-container"> <div id="nav-menu-large-background-container"> <div id="nav-menu-large"> <div class="row">  <div class="col-9 dynamic-menus" id="dynamic-menu-477079"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"><h2>Hunting</h2></div> <div class="col-12"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-4"> <ul class="first-item"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer" >Deer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck" >Duck</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/hunting-maps" >Hunting Maps</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/quail" >Stubble Quail </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/hunting-introduced-game-birds" >Introduced game birds</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-4"> <ul><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/pest-animals" >Pest animals</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/safety-and-hazards" >Hazards and safety </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/caring-for-the-environment" >Caring for the environment</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/respect-hunt-responsibly" >RESPECT - Hunt Responsibly</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/sustainable-hunting-action-plan-2021-2024" >Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021-2024</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-4"> <ul><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/traditional-owners" >Traditional Owners</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-9 dynamic-menus" id="dynamic-menu-477083"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"><h2>Licensing</h2></div> <div class="col-12"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-4"> <ul class="first-item"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/my-game-licence-mygl" >Accessing MyGL</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/apply-for-a-game-licence" >Licensing and renewals</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/changes-to-gamebird-licensing-conditions" >Changes to gamebird licensing conditions</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/authorisations" >Authorisations and permits</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/waterfowl-identification-test" >Waterfowl Identification Test</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-4"> <ul><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/hound-hunting-test" >Hound hunting test and hound registration </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/licensing-statistics" >Licensing statistics</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-9 dynamic-menus" id="dynamic-menu-482174"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"><h2>Enforcement </h2></div> <div class="col-12"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-4"> <ul class="first-item"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/report-illegal-hunting-online" >Report illegal hunting or illegal protester activity</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/authorised-officers" >Our Game Officers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/compliance-statistics" >Enforcement statistics</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/enforcement-actions" >Enforcement actions</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/authorised-officer-feedback" >Feedback on GMA Authorised Officers</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-4"> <ul> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-9 dynamic-menus" id="dynamic-menu-477087"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"><h2>Education</h2></div> <div class="col-12"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-4"> <ul class="first-item"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/deer-hunting-education" >Deer hunting education</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/duck-hunting-education" >Duck hunting education</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/quail-hunting-education" >Quail and introduced gamebird hunting education</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials" >Online education modules </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/firearms-safety" >Firearms safety</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-4"> <ul><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/practical-gamebird-hunting-training-trial" >Practical gamebird hunting training trial</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-9 dynamic-menus" id="dynamic-menu-477091"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"><h2>Research</h2></div> <div class="col-12"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-4"> <ul class="first-item"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/deer-research" >Deer Research</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/duck-research" >Duck Research</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/quail-research" >Quail Research</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/hunting-research" >Hunting Research</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/environmental-research" >Environmental Research</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-4"> <ul><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/stakeholder-and-community-research" >Stakeholder and community research</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-9 dynamic-menus" id="dynamic-menu-477095"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"><h2>Laws</h2></div> <div class="col-12"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-4"> <ul class="first-item"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies/what-is-illegal-hunting" >What is illegal hunting?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies/spotlighting-laws" >Spotlighting laws</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies/public-safety-on-wetlands" >Public safety on wetlands </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies/changes-to-game-hunting-regulations" >Changes to Game Hunting Regulations</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-9 dynamic-menus" id="dynamic-menu-477109"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"><h2>About Us</h2></div> <div class="col-12"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-4"> <ul class="first-item"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-purpose-and-vision" >Purpose and vision</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-board" >Our people</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/gma-reporting-and-governance" >Reporting and governance</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us" >Contact Us</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/general-complaint-form" >General complaint / feedback form </a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-4"> <ul><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/responsibilities-for-game-management-and-hunting-in-victoria" >Responsibilities for game management and hunting in Victoria</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <nav id="hamburger-menu"> <ul> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting">Hunting</a> <ul> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer">Deer</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/where-to-hunt">Where to hunt</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/hog-deer-hunting">Hog Deer hunting</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/when-to-hunt">When to hunt</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/game-deer-species">Game deer species</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/deer-hunting-laws">Deer hunting methods</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/ethical-hunting">Ethical hunting</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck">Duck </a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/duck-season-arrangements">Duck season arrangements</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/wetland-closures-duck-season">Wetland closures</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/reduce-wounding">Reduce Wounding </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/where-to-hunt">Where to hunt</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/when-to-hunt">When to hunt</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/Adaptive-Harvest-Management-for-game-duck-hunting-in-Victoria">Adaptive Harvest Management for game duck hunting in Victoria </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/hunting-methods">Duck hunting methods and laws</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/game-duck-species">Game duck species</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/ethical-hunting">Ethical hunting</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/wetland-closures">Wetland closure process</a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/hunting-maps">Hunting Maps</a></li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/quail">Stubble Quail </a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/quail/where-to-hunt">Where to hunt</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/quail/when-to-hunt-quail">When to hunt Quail</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/quail/historical-summary-of-seasonal-arrangements">Historical summary of seasonal arrangements</a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/hunting-introduced-game-birds">Introduced game birds</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/pest-animals">Pest animals </a></li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/safety-and-hazards">Hazards and safety </a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/safety-and-hazards/avian-influenza-information-for-hunters">Avian influenza information for hunters</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/caring-for-the-environment">Caring for the environment </a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/caring-for-the-environment/environmental-and-health-risks-of-lead-bullets-for-deer-hunting">Environmental and health risks of lead bullets for deer hunting</a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/respect-hunt-responsibly">RESPECT - Hunt Responsibly </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/sustainable-hunting-action-plan-2021-2024">Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2021-2024</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/traditional-owners">Traditional Owners</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing">Licensing</a> <ul> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/my-game-licence-mygl">Accessing MyGL</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/my-game-licence-mygl/exisiting-game-licence-holders-how-to-register-for-mygl">Exisiting Game Licence holders - How to register for MyGL</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/my-game-licence-mygl/prospective-game-licence-holder-how-to-register-for-mygl">Prospective Game Licence holder - How to register for MyGL</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/my-game-licence-mygl/already-registed-on-mygl-how-to-sign-into-your-mygl-account">Already registerd on MyGL - how to sign into your MyGL account</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/my-game-licence-mygl/how-to-order-hog-deer-tags">How to order Hog Deer tags</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/my-game-licence-mygl/buttons">Buttons</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/apply-for-a-game-licence">Licensing and renewals</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/apply-for-a-game-licence/firearms-licence">Firearms licence</a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/changes-to-gamebird-licensing-conditions">Changes to gamebird licensing conditions </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/authorisations">Authorisations and permits</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/waterfowl-identification-test">Waterfowl Identification Test</a></li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/hound-hunting-test">Hound hunting test and hound registration </a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/hound-hunting-test/book-a-hound-hunting-test">Book a hound hunting test </a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/licencing/licensing-statistics">Licensing statistics</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement">Enforcement </a> <ul> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/report-illegal-hunting-online">Report illegal hunting or illegal protester activity</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/report-illegal-hunting-online/report-illegal-hunting">Report illegal hunting</a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/authorised-officers">Our Game Officers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/compliance-statistics">Enforcement statistics</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/enforcement-actions">Enforcement actions </a></li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/authorised-officer-feedback">Feedback on GMA Authorised Officers</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/authorised-officer-feedback/authorised-officer-feedback-form">Authorised Officer feedback Form</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education">Education</a> <ul> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/deer-hunting-education">Deer hunting education</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/deer-hunting-education/hunting-plan">Hunting Plan </a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/duck-hunting-education">Duck hunting education</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/duck-hunting-education/guidelines-for-the-humane-dispatch-of-downed-ducks">Guidelines for the humane dispatch of downed ducks </a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/quail-hunting-education">Quail and introduced gamebird hunting education</a></li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials">Online education modules </a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/how-to-use-the-module">How to use the module</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/hunting-essentials">Hunting Essentials</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/deer-hunting-basics">Deer Hunting Basics</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/duck">Duck hunting basics</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/quail">Quail and introduced gamebirds</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/hound-hunting">Hound Hunting basics</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/bowhunting">Bowhunting basics</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/basic-survival-skills">Basic Survival Skills</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/online-learning-materials/introduction-to-firearms">Introduction to Firearms</a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/firearms-safety">Firearms safety </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/education/practical-gamebird-hunting-training-trial">Practical gamebird hunting training trial </a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research">Research</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/deer-research">Deer Research </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/duck-research">Duck Research </a></li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/quail-research">Quail Research </a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/quail-research/get-involved-in-stubble-quail-research">Investigating the age and sex of harvested Stubble Quail</a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/hunting-research">Hunting Research </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/environmental-research">Environmental Research </a></li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/stakeholder-and-community-research">Stakeholder and community research</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/research/stakeholder-and-community-research/investigations-benchmarking-project-november-2020">Investigations Benchmarking Project November 2020</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies">Laws</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies/what-is-illegal-hunting">What is illegal hunting?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies/spotlighting-laws">Spotlighting laws</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies/public-safety-on-wetlands">Public safety on wetlands </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/Laws,-Policies-and-Strategies/changes-to-game-hunting-regulations">Changes to Game Hunting Regulations</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us">About Us</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-purpose-and-vision">Purpose and vision</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-board">Our people</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/gma-reporting-and-governance">Reporting and governance</a></li> <li class="navHasChildren"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us">Contact Us</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/contact-us-form">Contact Us</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/buttons">Buttons</a></li> </ul> </li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/general-complaint-form">General complaint / feedback form </a></li><li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/responsibilities-for-game-management-and-hunting-in-victoria">Responsibilities for game management and hunting in Victoria</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>  <div class="breadcrumbs-share-buttons-container"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-12 col-lg-8" id="breadcrumbs"><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au">Home</a> > <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting"> Hunting</a> > <span></span> Pest animals</span> </div>  <div class="col-sm-12 col-lg-4" id="social-icons"><span> <a href="javascript:window.print()" aria-label="Print this page"> <svg width="19px" height="17px" viewBox="0 0 19 17" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g id="icon-printer" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M17.3897,9 C17.78835,9 18,9.336 18,9.72223529 L18,15.0974118 C18,15.4836471 17.78835,16 17.3897,16 L1.72165,16 C1.323,16 1,15.4836471 1,15.0974118 L1,9.72223529 C1,9.336 1.323,9 1.72165,9 L17.3897,9 Z" id="Stroke-1" stroke="#202228" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"></path> <path d="M4,8.72253788 L4,2.73695821 C4,2.34284943 4.33713352,2 4.75322725,2 L14.0093167,2 C14.4254104,2 14.6463216,2.34284943 14.6463216,2.73695821 L14.6463216,8.72253788" id="Stroke-5" stroke="#202228" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"></path> <path d="M6.11156794,6 L12.765519,6" id="Stroke-9" stroke="#202228" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"></path> <path d="M3.32438151,15.9411103 L3.32438151,13.8516615 C3.32438151,13.4575527 3.5277869,13 3.91090789,13 L14.8841792,13 C15.2673002,13 15.5777181,13.4575527 15.5777181,13.8516615 L15.5777181,15.9411103" id="Stroke-3" stroke="#202228" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"></path> <path d="M6.11156794,4 L10.5475353,4" id="Stroke-7" stroke="#202228" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"></path> <path d="M16.1554362,10.5777181 C16.1554362,10.8966185 15.8966185,11.1554362 15.5777181,11.1554362 C15.2588177,11.1554362 15,10.8966185 15,10.5777181 C15,10.2588177 15.2588177,10 15.5777181,10 C15.8966185,10 16.1554362,10.2588177 16.1554362,10.5777181" id="Fill-11" fill="#202228"></path> </g> </svg> </a> </span><span> <a href="mailto:?subject=Game Management Authority: Pest animals &body=Hi. I found some information that might interest you: Pest animals - https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/pest-animals" aria-label="Email this page" > <svg width="22px" height="16px" viewBox="0 0 22 16" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g id="icon-email" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M20,13.2 C20,13.642 19.6599,14 19.24,14 L1.76,14 C1.3401,14 1,13.642 1,13.2 L1,2.8 C1,2.358 1.3401,2 1.76,2 L19.24,2 C19.6599,2 20,2.358 20,2.8 L20,13.2 Z" id="Stroke-1" stroke="#343741"></path> <path d="M14,8 L20,14" id="Stroke-3" stroke="#343741"></path> <path d="M1,14 L7,8" id="Stroke-5" stroke="#343741"></path> <path d="M20,2 L11.3454015,10.6500169 C10.8781593,11.116661 10.121054,11.116661 9.65381192,10.6500169 L1,2" id="Stroke-7" stroke="#343741"></path> </g> </svg> </a> </span><span> <a href="https://facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/pest-animals&t=" aria-label="Share on Facecbook" target="_blank"> <svg width="10px" height="17px" viewBox="0 0 10 17" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g id="icon-facebook" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M6.5045992,17 L6.5045992,9.25697741 L9.1076324,9.25697741 L9.50809904,6.22544491 L6.5045992,6.22544491 L6.5045992,4.29519568 C6.5045992,3.42017606 6.74888386,2.82348076 8.00434679,2.82348076 L9.59419937,2.82348076 L9.59419937,0.120330903 C8.8201188,0.0369837821 8.04203356,-0.00313439432 7.2634835,0.000190909075 C4.95679562,0.000190909075 3.3769547,1.40182417 3.3769547,3.9948457 L3.3769547,6.22544491 L0.773921509,6.22544491 L0.773921509,9.25697741 L3.3769547,9.25697741 L3.3769547,17 L6.5045992,17 Z" id="Fill-1" fill="#202228"></path> </g> </svg> </a> </span><span> <a href="https://twitter.com/share?text=Pest animals &url=https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/pest-animals" aria-label="Share on Twitter" target="_blank"> <svg width="20px" height="17px" viewBox="0 0 20 17" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g id="icon-twitter" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M17.9615875,4.57273614 C17.9615875,9.99399805 13.8359967,16.2450296 6.28929402,16.2450296 C3.97179083,16.2450296 1.81634031,15.5653087 0,14.3994298 C0.321104359,14.4354415 0.647460425,14.4556981 0.979068197,14.4556981 C2.90119289,14.4556981 4.67026784,13.8022357 6.07397404,12.7023783 C4.2793908,12.6701178 2.76464851,11.4839823 2.24247881,9.85295221 C2.49381049,9.9024683 2.74964363,9.92872684 3.01447971,9.92872684 C3.38960162,9.92872684 3.75196939,9.87771026 4.09558106,9.78543026 C2.21997149,9.40805762 0.805011629,7.74926851 0.805011629,5.76262285 L0.805011629,5.71085603 C1.35869157,6.018456 1.99114712,6.20376622 2.66336559,6.22627354 C1.56350814,5.49103459 0.838772601,4.23512642 0.838772601,2.81191387 C0.838772601,2.05941931 1.03983795,1.35494036 1.39395303,0.749493585 C3.41736064,3.23205042 6.44009303,4.86533123 9.84995123,5.03638683 C9.77942831,4.73628929 9.74341661,4.42268737 9.74341661,4.10158301 C9.74341661,1.83734714 11.5807637,0 13.8465001,0 C15.0273839,0 16.0919799,0.497411659 16.8407232,1.29567109 C17.775527,1.11111111 18.6525621,0.769750169 19.4478205,0.300097532 C19.1402206,1.25590817 18.4920099,2.0609198 17.6442344,2.56808463 C18.4740041,2.46905244 19.2640108,2.24773051 20,1.92212469 C19.4515718,2.74439193 18.753845,3.46687673 17.9480831,4.04156351 L17.9615875,4.57273614 Z" id="Twitter" fill="#202228"></path> </g> </svg> </a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <main role="main" > <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-12 col-lg-12 " id="main-content">  <h1>Pest animals </h1> <div class="row level-1-main-content"> <div class="col-sm-12 col-lg-8 col-lg-12 section-description" > <div id="content_container_485433"> <p>Pest animals are not classified as ‘game’. The Game Management Authority does not regulate the hunting of pest animals. While a licence is not required to hunt pest animals, some hunters will need to get a <em><a href="https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/registration-of-interest-to-hunt-pest-animals">Registration of interest to hunt pest animals on Crown land</a></em> in order to have a genuine reason to obtain a Firearm Licence and use a firearm with which to hunt pest animals.</p><p>To apply for a certificate of Registration of interest to hunt pest animals on Crown land visit <a href="https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/registration-of-interest-to-hunt-pest-animals">Service Victoria</a>, <a href="https://www.exploreoutdoors.vic.gov.au/where-to-start/hunting-and-fishing-in-victoria">Hunting and fishing in state forests </a>or call the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on 136 186 Monday to Friday during business hours.</p><div id="page-wrapper"><div id="main" role="main"><div><div><div><div id="content_container_3715"><p>There is no season that applies to pest animals. Pest animals can be hunted all year.</p><p><em>(Photo on the left by Reg Gordon)</em></p></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/hunting-maps " class="gma-button">Hunting maps</a> <div class="accordion"> <div class="expand-collapse-container"><span><span class="expand-all" tabindex="0">+ Expand all</span><span class="collapse-all" tabindex="0">- Collapse all</span> </span></div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="headingOne"> <h3 class="mb-0"> <button class="btn btn-link" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#collapseOne" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseOne"> What to hunt </button> </h3> <span class="accordion-closed"></span> </div> <div class="card-body" style="height: 0px;"> <p><p>Victorians typically hunt the following pest animals:</p><ul><li><a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/european-rabbit">European rabbits</a></li><li><a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/european-hare">European hares</a></li><li><a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/red-fox">Foxes</a></li><li><a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/goat-feral-or-wild">Goats (feral or wild)</a></li><li><a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/pig-feral-or-wild">Pigs (feral or wild)</a></li></ul><p>Respect for your quarry should extend to all animals that you hunt.  You must use the right equipment to effectively and humanely hunt pest animals.</p><p>Gundogs may be used to point or flush foxes, hares, or rabbits or to retrieve hares or rabbits. A gundog should retrieve without causing physical injury so that the animal retrieved can be killed humanely by the hunter.</p><p>You can use dogs to point and flush pigs.<strong> It is a offence to use any dog that attacks, holds or maims an animal you are hunting. </strong></p><p>Fox hunters who use hounds and horses must be members of an approved hunting organisation who use horses and hounds for hunting foxes. The only hounds permitted to be used for this purpose are 'foxhounds' identified by a legible ear tattoo and registered with the approved organisation.</p><p>Rabbit hunters may use ferrets to drive rabbits from burrows.  Ferrets that attack or maim rabbits must not be used in hunting</p><p>See the <a href="http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/agriculture-and-food/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-legislation/victorian-codes-of-practice-for-animal-welfare/code-of-practice-for-the-welfare-of-animals-in-hunting-revision-no.-1">Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals in Hunting</a> for full details.</p><h4><strong>Wild dogs/Dingoes</strong></h4><p>New scientific studies have found hybridisation between domestic dogs and dingoes in the wild is rare. This means most animals we previously thought were wild dogs, are in fact likely to be dingoes.</p><p>Dingoes are threatened species in Victoria and given the new findings about limited hybridisation with wild dogs, the laws around the control and hunting of wild dogs/dingoes have recently changed.</p><p>Under the new Dingo Unprotection Order made under the <em>Wildlife Act 1975,</em> recreational hunting of wild dogs/dingoes on public land is not permitted in Victoria. In the eastern part of the State, where dingoes are unprotected, only authorised employees from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and authorised agents contracted in writing by DEECA can shoot dingoes on public land.</p><p>On private land in the eastern part of the State, the lethal control of dingoes/wild dogs is permitted for the protection of livestock on private land.  Property owners in that part of the State can engage anyone to control the dingoes in accordance with the conditions of the Unprotection Order.</p><p>In the rest of Victoria, dingoes are protected as a threatened species under the <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/flora-and-fauna-guarantee-act-1988/045" target="_blank" title="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/flora-and-fauna-guarantee-act-1988/045">Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988</a> and the <em><a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/wildlife-act-1975" target="_blank" title="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/wildlife-act-1975">Wildlife Act 1975</a></em> and it is an offence to kill a dingo without an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) permit on public land. The Conservation Regulator will only consider issuing ATCWs for lethal control in extraordinary circumstances, such as where there are human safety concerns, or where there are extreme and escalating livestock impacts and all non-lethal control measures have been exhausted.</p><p>For more information, visit: <a href="https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/our-wildlife/dingoes?query=2024">Dingoes (wildlife.vic.gov.au)</a> and <a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/wild-dog-dingodog-hybrids-feral-or-wild">Wild dog, dingo-dog hybrids (feral or wild) | Established pest animal species | Pest animals | Biosecurity | Agriculture Victoria</a></p><p><strong>Feral cats</strong></p><p>Feral cats are a declared established pest species on specified Crown land in Victoria under the <a href="https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/catchment-and-land-protection-act-1994/064">Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994(CALP Act)</a>.  The declaration applies to areas of Crown land managed by DEECA, Parks Victoria, Phillip Island Nature Park and the four Alpine Resort Management Boards.</p><p>Feral cat control is implemented by department and agency staff, and their agents. Recreational hunting of pest animals on Crown land does not extend to feral cats, unless being conducted by accredited volunteer shooters engaged to participate in control programs managed by Parks Victoria or DEECA.</p><p>Feral cats are not declared as an established pest animal on private land in Victoria, therefore farmers and other private landholders are not required to control feral cat populations on their land.</p><p>Farmers can manage cats that are found at large near livestock on their land. Farmers can either destroy the cat themselves or authorise any other person to do so. For further information, visit: <a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-animals/established-pest-animal-species/cat-feral-or-wild">Cat (feral or wild) | Established pest animal species | Pest animals | Biosecurity | Agriculture Victoria</a></p></p> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="headingOne"> <h3 class="mb-0"> <button class="btn btn-link" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#collapseOne" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseOne"> Where to hunt </button> </h3> <span class="accordion-closed"></span> </div> <div class="card-body" style="height: 0px;"> <p><p>Pest animals can be hunted on private property (with the permission of the owner) and in State Forests.</p><p>Regulation changes in 2018 allow the hunting of foxes, rabbits and hares during daylight hours in State Game Reserves during a duck season by appropriately licensed game hunters. Please read all the information on this page for more details before you hunt pest animals on State Game Reserves.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/481532/Possession-and-use-of-spotlights-in-recognised-deer-habitat.pdf">recognised deer habitat</a>,  spotlighting for pest animals can only occur on <strong>private property</strong> 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 firearm in recognised deer habitat from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.</p><p>Outside of <a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/481532/Possession-and-use-of-spotlights-in-recognised-deer-habitat.pdf">recognised deer habitat</a>, pest animal hunting can occur under spotlight on Crown land that permits pest hunting, such as State Forests.</p></p> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="headingOne"> <h3 class="mb-0"> <button class="btn btn-link" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#collapseOne" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseOne"> Spotlighting pest animals </button> </h3> <span class="accordion-closed"></span> </div> <div class="card-body" style="height: 0px;"> <p><p>Spotlighting for pest animals on private land (with permission of the owner) is a popular and effective way to hunt pest animals. However, hunters need to be even more cautious when applying the Firearms Safety Code at night as judging safe direction and firing zones becomes very difficult if you do not know the property or surrounding area intimately.  Therefore, hunting on private property at night should only occur on a property you know well, or in the company of someone who is very familiar with the property and its neighbouring surrounds.</p></p> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="headingOne"> <h3 class="mb-0"> <button class="btn btn-link" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#collapseOne" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseOne"> Pig hunting and use of dogs </button> </h3> <span class="accordion-closed"></span> </div> <div class="card-body" style="height: 0px;"> <p><p><img src="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/500219/feral-pig.jpg" alt="" style="float: right; margin: 1em 0px 1em 1em;" />The use of dogs when pig hunting is regulated under a number of Victorian Acts, in particular the<a href="./?a=493782"> <em>Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986. </em></a>Many of the pig hunting activities that are shown on the internet, on television and described in Australian pig hunting magazines and elsewhere are not permitted in Victoria. These include the methods by which pigs are killed and the ways in which dogs are used in pig hunting.</p><h5>Pig sticking</h5><p>Sticking pigs with a knife or similar instrument is not permitted, unless this is being done to bleed out the pig after it has been killed humanely, for example by the humane use of a firearm. This sort of activity is subject to large penalties, under section 9 (cruelty) and section 10 (aggravated cruelty) of the <em>Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986</em>.</p><h5>Use of dogs</h5><p>The <em>Domestic Animals Act 1994</em> and the <em>Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986,</em> including the <a href="http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/agriculture-and-food/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-legislation/victorian-codes-of-practice-for-animal-welfare/code-of-practice-for-the-welfare-of-animals-in-hunting-revision-no.-1">Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals in Hunting</a> (revision 1), restrict the use of dogs in pig hunting to flushing the pigs from cover and pointing. Flushing is when the dog finds the pig and drives it from a hiding place. Pointing is when a dog stops and points its muzzle in the direction of the pig.</p><p>Dogs must not be permitted to chase pigs down or 'hit up' on a pig. It is illegal to cut off the ears of live pigs to make them more 'challenging' for dogs to hold. In fact, dogs must not be used to hold pigs by their ears (lugging) or any other part of their bodies at all. Dogs must not be permitted to injure or maim pigs in any way, while the pigs are still alive. Dogs must not be allowed to fight a pig. All of these activities are illegal. It is also illegal to train dogs for these purposes. These activities are regularly described in pig hunting literature but are not permitted in Victoria, due to the welfare impacts on both pigs and dogs. Hunted pigs are to be killed humanely and hunting dogs must not be used in ways that will subject them to the types of injuries that occur in these illegal pig hunting activities.</p><h5>Illegal release of pigs</h5><p>It is illegal to release pigs for the purpose of providing hunting opportunities, and there are heavy penalties for this under the <em>Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986</em> and the<em> Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994</em>.</p><h5>Penalties</h5><p>The relevant sections of the Acts and the maximum penalties that can be applied if a person is prosecuted are:</p><h6>Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986</h6><p>Section 9 Cruelty, 9(a), 9(c), 9(h): 246 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months for a person, or, in the case of a body corporate, 600 penalty units.</p><p>Section 10 Aggravated Cruelty: 492 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years for a person, or, in the case of a body corporate, 1200 penalty units.</p><p>Section 13 Baiting and Luring: 240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years or for a person, in the case of a body corporate, 1200 penalty units.</p><h6>Domestic Animals Act 1994</h6><p>Section 28 Setting or urging a dog to attack: 120 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months for a person.</p><p>Section 28A Training dogs to attack: 60 penalty units or imprisonment for 3 months.</p><p>Section 29 Dog attacks: 40 penalty units.</p><h6>Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994</h6><p>Section 75A(4) Release of established pest animal: 60 penalty units.</p><p>One penalty unit is currently $151.67.</p></p> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="headingOne"> <h3 class="mb-0"> <button class="btn btn-link" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#collapseOne" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseOne"> Hunting pest animals on State Game Reserves </button> </h3> <span class="accordion-closed"></span> </div> <div class="card-body" style="height: 0px;"> <p><p>The Wildlife (State Game Reserves) Regulations 2024 allow the hunting of foxes, hares and rabbits on State Game Reserves during the open season for duck hunting.</p><p>The regulations prescribe various conditions that hunters need to be aware of before hunting pest animals on State Game Reserves. These conditions are summarised below -</p><table id="table92504" class="table-responsive dark-brown"><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Who can hunt pest animals on State Game Reserves?</strong></p></td><td><p>You are allowed to hunt pest animals on State Game Reserves if you are:</p><ul><li>A holder of a game licence endorsed for duck hunting</li><li>A member of a traditional owner group with an authorisation order made under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 who under that order is authorised to hunt duck</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>When can you hunt pest animals on State Game Reserves?</strong></p></td><td><p>You can hunt pest animals on State Game Reserves during the open season for duck hunting, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Where can you hunt pest animals on State Game Reserves?</strong></p></td><td><p>You can hunt pest animals with a shotgun using non-toxic shot on State Game Reserves wherever duck hunting is permitted.</p><p>This means that you can not hunt pest animals in an area of a reserve where hunting has been prohibited or in a reserve that has been closed for duck hunting as part of seasonal arrangements.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>What pest animals can you hunt?</strong></p></td><td><p>Only certain pest animals may be hunted on State Game Reserves:</p><ul><li>European hares , (<em>Lepus europaeus</em>)</li><li>European rabbits (<em>Oryctolagus cuniculus</em>) and</li><li>Red foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>).</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong>Why are hunters only allowed to hunt pest animals during the duck hunting season?</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify">The prescribed duck hunting season occurs largely outside the breeding periods of waterfowl. Restricting pest animal hunting to the duck hunting season will ensure that there is no disturbance to breeding waterfowl and other waterbirds during breeding periods.</p><p style="text-align: justify">Generally, all State Game Reserves are available for duck hunting during the duck hunting season, however wetlands may be closed for duck hunting on a seasonal basis for various reasons including the concentration of threatened waterbirds, the presence of any rare, vulnerable specifies that may be disturbed by duck hunting or due to public safety concerns</p><p style="text-align: justify">To ensure that environmental outcomes are not compromised hunters are permitted to hunt pest animals in the same areas where duck hunting is permitted.  Hunters are reminded to check seasonal arrangements on the GMA website.</p><p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Why can hunters only hunt foxes, hares and rabbits?</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify">The intention of the regulations is to permit hunters to hunt specified pest animals on State Game Reserves that they come across when legitimately hunting game ducks. Limiting hunting to these pest animals that are commonly found in State Game Reserves will improve hunting opportunities while ensuring that it remains an incidental activity to duck hunting.</p><p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Why are hunters required to use shotguns with non-toxic shot to hunt pest animals?</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify">The Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2024 restrict the use of firearms for duck hunting to shotguns and the use of non-toxic shot. Applying this restriction equally to pest animal hunting ensures that this remains an incidental activity to duck hunting and ensures that lead-shot contamination will not occur on State Game Reserve habitat.</p><p>For more information on hunting pest animals on State Game Reserves, contact DEECA on 136 186 Monday to Friday during business hours.</p></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-12 col-lg-4 pl-lg-2"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container"> </div>  </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-6 col-md-3 footer-column"> <ul class="footer-links"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/copyright">Copyright</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/disclaimer">Disclaimer</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/privacy">Privacy</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-6 col-md-3 footer-column"> <span class="divider"></span> <ul class="footer-links"> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/about-us/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/sitemap">Sitemap</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-12 col-lg-3 footer-column"> <p>Follow Us</p>  <script> gtag('event', 'conversion', { 'allow_custom_scripts': true, 'u1': '[PageURL]', 'send_to': 'DC-10871674/remar0/au_dj0+standard' }); </script> <noscript> <img src="https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/activity/src=10871674;type=remar0;cat=au_dj0;u1=[PageURL];dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;npa=;gdpr=${GDPR};gdpr_consent=${GDPR_CONSENT_755};ord=1?" width="1" height="1" alt=""/> </noscript>  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3XetW7O2Vrbibg4NjTdFKw?view_as=subscriber" class="social-link" aria-label="YouTube"> <svg width="31px" height="23px" viewBox="0 0 31 23" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <g id="youtube" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M12,17 L12,7 L20,12.0001911 L12,17 Z M30.3521705,3.59152419 C29.9956705,2.17776613 28.9451932,1.06449194 27.6114886,0.68666129 C25.194017,0 15.5,0 15.5,0 C15.5,0 5.80598295,0 3.38851136,0.68666129 C2.05480682,1.06449194 1.00432955,2.17776613 0.647829545,3.59152419 C0,6.15379839 0,11.5 0,11.5 C0,11.5 0,16.8462016 0.647829545,19.4084758 C1.00432955,20.8222339 2.05480682,21.9355081 3.38851136,22.3135242 C5.80598295,23 15.5,23 15.5,23 C15.5,23 25.194017,23 27.6114886,22.3135242 C28.9451932,21.9355081 29.9956705,20.8222339 30.3521705,19.4084758 C31,16.8462016 31,11.5 31,11.5 C31,11.5 31,6.15379839 30.3521705,3.59152419 Z" id="YouTube" fill="#FFFFFF"></path> </g> </svg> </a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GameManagementAuthority" class="social-link" aria-label="Facebook"> <svg width="10px" height="17px" viewBox="0 0 10 17" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <title>icon-facebook</title> <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="icon-facebook" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <path d="M6.5045992,17 L6.5045992,9.25697741 L9.1076324,9.25697741 L9.50809904,6.22544491 L6.5045992,6.22544491 L6.5045992,4.29519568 C6.5045992,3.42017606 6.74888386,2.82348076 8.00434679,2.82348076 L9.59419937,2.82348076 L9.59419937,0.120330903 C8.8201188,0.0369837821 8.04203356,-0.00313439432 7.2634835,0.000190909075 C4.95679562,0.000190909075 3.3769547,1.40182417 3.3769547,3.9948457 L3.3769547,6.22544491 L0.773921509,6.22544491 L0.773921509,9.25697741 L3.3769547,9.25697741 L3.3769547,17 L6.5045992,17 Z" id="Facebook" fill="#FFFFFF"></path> </g> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="col-12 col-lg-3 footer-column"> <a class="respect-logo" href="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/respect-hunt-responsibly"><img src="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/482092/Respect-logo.png" alt="Responsible Hunting"></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="back-to-top-wrapper print-hidden"> <a href="#" class="back-to-top" style="display: none;"><span class="visually-hidden">Back to top</span></a> </div> </footer>  <script src="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0020/471071/dist/bundle.js?h=dfc2704"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/js_file/0008/473525/jquery-ui-1.10.3.custom.min.js"></script>  <script src="https://web5.economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/alert-banner.js" defer="true"></script>  <style> .facetLabel { display: none; } </style> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Pest animals - Game Management Authority