Senior Constable Paul Guy said spotlighters were firing near homes, pets, stock and cars and putting people in danger of being hit.

Police receive at least two or three reports of illegal hunting each week, which could grow to 10 complaints during busy weekends.

Oxley-based farmer Graham Forge has lost four vealers to shooters and is regularly on the lookout for suspicious activity.

“I usually spend two nights a week driving cattle around in the dark, just making sure everything’s above board,” he said.

“It’s concerning as there’s always a chance of stray bullets flying around.

“They just spotlight too close to houses, that’s a lot of the problem.

“If they got out in the bush, well away, no-one would worry about them.”

Senior Constable Guy said police were building a picture of where the illegal activity was occuring.

Officers and Game Management Authority staff spoke to five men after complaints about spotlighting in the Rose River area last Tuesday.

Torches and a gun were seized and the men, aged 19 to 33, are expected to be charged on summons with various offences. 

“We have had ongoing reports recently of this activity occurring within three kilometres of the main street of Whitfield, as well as the more rural areas,” Senior Constable Guy said.

“The more information we can get from the community as to when and where this is occurring, the better our chance of detecting where these people are.”

Monday’s meeting will look at ways to address the problem. 

Senior Constable Guy said deer were also being beheaded on private properties and landowners left to remove the carcasses. 

“I just want to bring the community together so we can discuss strategies and methods and ways the community can help Victoria Police and the Game Management Authority prevent these offences and identify offenders,” he said. 

“There are definitely some identified hotspots in the Whitfield police service area that we focus on. 

“Once I’m aware there’s an issue in certain areas, I can take action against the offenders.” 

The meeting will be held at the Whitfield Recreation Reserve from 7pm.