Hunting
Game and feral animals such as foxes and rabbits, deer, feral goats and pigs can have impacts on agricultural production, the environment and communities. Hunting is recognised as one of a number of tools used in the management of game and feral animals and also as a legitimate recreational pursuit.
DPI Hunting manages hunter licensing, education and compliance, and administers important hunting programs like:
- hunting on public land
- native game bird management program
- Shut the gate on illegal hunting campaign
- Hunter Learning, Education and Accreditation Program (LEAP)
- GunSmart (the NSW firearms safety initiative)
- responsible pig dogger program
- ethical bowhunter program.
Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation 2022 now in force
The Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation (the Regulation) is the main legislation supporting implementation of the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 (the Act). The Act provides for the effective management of introduced species of game animals and promotes responsible and orderly hunting of those game animals on public and private land and certain pest animal on public land.
The Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation 2022 is now published to the NSW Legislation website and is now in force. The final Regulation 2022 contains only minor administrative changes following public consultation between Tuesday 14 June and Tuesday 12 July 2022.
Copies of the Act and the Regulation are available through the NSW Legislation website.
Read the updated rules and regulations page for details. This website will be updated progressively.
New R-Licence training launched
The R-Licence Accreditation Course, mandatory training to qualify you for a NSW Restricted Game Hunting Licence (R-Licence), has been revised and relaunched with a new online platform. Choose to complete the training at your own pace, or contact a Hunter LEAP Partner for face-to-face training.
Note: if you hold a current R-Licence, you do not need to complete this course.
African swine fever continues its spread through Asia, getting closer to Australia
Hunters play an important role on the front line to detect and prevent the spread of animal disease, including African swine fever (ASF), a disease deadly for pigs. If you suspect ASF, you must immediately report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. Find out more about African swine fever.
Contact DPI Hunting
P: 02 6363 7650
E: hunting@dpi.nsw.gov.au
