AS a result of a series of tip-offs from the public, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) staff have identified the majority of the vehicles that appear in a series of photographs captured by hidden surveillance cameras used to identify illegal hunters frequenting the Mullion and Canobolas state forests.
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The 16 photographs, reproduced on the front page of the Central Western Daily on Monday, were published to solicit the public’s help to identify the people and their vehicles so DPI staff can determine whether they’re licensed to hunt.
DPI game licensing unit division compliance officer David Smith said the public had been very forthcoming and the department was now in the process of contacting the vehicles’ owners.
“The response was very good and we know who the majority of the people are now,” Mr Smith said.
“A lot of the names were given to us anonymously and there was even one person who self-reported.
“It will now take a little while to follow up the information and do some more research.”‘
Mr Smith said if the people who appear in the photographs are found to have been hunting without a licence a range of penalties can apply including a caution, a $500 fine or a court imposed penalty of $5500.
Mr Smith said surveillance cameras were only one method used to find illegal hunters.
“We use the cameras in addition to our regular pro-active patrols with other agencies, including the police,” he said.
Mr Smith encouraged complacent hunters to do the right thing and get a licence.
“It’s not a very difficult process as long as you meet the requirements [regarding past criminal offences],” he said.
Mr Smith said all people need to do to hunt legally is to join a hunting club, sit an accreditation test, apply for a licence and get a permit to hunt.
Mr Smith said he expects the number of hunters to increase over the Christmas period.
“Orange has a fairly active hunting community,” he said.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
