THREE Melbourne men caught illegally hunting deer from a vehicle at night in the Eildon area have been hit with heavy fines in the Mansfield Magistrates Court.
All three men pleaded guilty to hunting deer without authorisation, possessing a spotlight to hunt deer, hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting at night, along with several significant firearms charges laid by Victoria Police.
Two loaded rifles were found in the men’s vehicle and one of them was ready to fire, with the safety catch off.
The men were caught by Game Officers from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the police during a patrol specifically aimed at deterring illegal hunting and spotlighting activities in June last year.
A 28-year-old man was convicted and ordered to pay $1500 plus the DPI’s costs of around $120.
The two rifles, scopes and ammunition that were seized were forfeited to the Victoria Police and ordered to be destroyed.
A 31-year-old man was also convicted and ordered to pay $1500 plus costs of around $119.00. His spotlight was forfeited to be destroyed.
The third accused, a 27-year-old male, was found guilty without conviction. He was sentenced to a 12 months, undertaking to be of good behavior and pay $1000 to the Court Fund and $112 in costs to DPI.
The DPI prosecutor told the court the accused had put the public and themselves at risk.
She said the actions of the accused became a serious public safety issue because spotlighting in areas where campers or bushwalkers could be present was dangerous.
It also potentially placed other road users in danger as the driver’s attention was distracted from the roadway.
DPI Director of Game Victoria Simon Toop said the court outcome demonstrated the value of DPI working with the police to detect and deter reckless and dangerous hunting activity.
“Deer hunting at night from a public road is dangerous and against the law. It also deprives law-abiding hunters of hunting opportunities and tarnishes the reputation of Victoria’s 24,000 licensed deer hunters,” Mr Toop said.
“Game Victoria will continue to work closely with Victoria Police in conducting routine patrols, road blocks and targeted operations in an effort to stamp out illegal hunting activity.”
People with information about illegal hunting should contact Victoria Police or the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
