Pakenham police Constable Juz Rogers with firearms seized as part of a crackdown on rogue shooters.By Paul Dunlop
POLICE have seized firearms and interviewed a number of deer hunters as part of an operation targeting rogue shooters in and around Bunyip State Park.
Reports of illegal hunting in the park and around Tynong, Tonimbuk, Maryknoll and other rural areas prompted the operation which ran for several weeks during spring and early summer.
The operation was a joint initiative of Cardinia police and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Sergeant David Smith, Pakenham, said it had been a strong success.
“Police and DSE investigators have spent a significant amount of time on this operation with pleasing results,” he said.
Sgt Smith said police had interviewed a Gembrook man in relation to illegal possession of a kangaroo and another man about deer hunting.
A 20-year-old Cockatoo man interviewed in relation to firearms offences and illegal taking of game had two rifles seized and his firearms licence suspended pending a court result, Sgt Smith said.
Police said the man was in possession of a recently taken sambar deer carcass when he was interviewed.
Sgt Smith said the man faced charges under the Firearms Act and Wildlife Act and Regulations and would be summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
“This is a timely warning for people inclined to hunt illegally that both police and DSE are actively investigating reports of illegal hunting and taking of game and native animals, as well as routine patrols of identified problem areas,” Sgt Smith said. “These problem areas include the Bunyip State Park and surrounding rural areas. Police will conduct random vehicle intercepts with searches under the Firearms Act if breaches are reasonably suspected.”
Police have warned that it is illegal to hunt or take game in the Bunyip State Park at any time.
It is also illegal to hunt, take or possess game without a game licence.
Sgt Smith said rogue shooters made up only a tiny percentage of the many deer hunters in the local area.
He said bona-fide hunters were keen to stamp out the small minority who gave the sport a bad name.
Sgt Smith said hunters who did the right thing should be encouraged by the increased police attention in dealing with others who placed the sport at risk.
Australian Deer Association president Max Rheese said the association strongly supported efforts to stamp out rogue hunting.
He congratulated the police on their efforts and called on the State Government to provide more funding to Parks Victoria and other bodies to stamp out illegal hunting, saying it should not necessarily fall to the police to control.
Mr Rheese said more needed to be done to address problems such as illegal deer hunting, trail bike riding and other concerns in Bunyip State Park.
“The net needs to be broadened,” he said. “We would like to see the State Government put forward a stronger enforcement strategy and this highlights that more needs to be done.”
