A NSW woman has been convicted of illegal hunting offences in North East Victoria after officers tracked down antlers, belonging to a deer she had shot and photographed, at a taxidermist
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 31-year-old woman pleaded guilty in Wodonga Magistrates Court to hunting and possessing game at Bullioh in July, 2017, without a valid licence.
Game Management Authority officers were alerted to the incident by police, who were called to a property where hunters had been spotted trespassing.
GMA compliance and intelligence director Paul Stevens said the NSW woman had become a suspect after officers were alerted to a photo she posted a photo of herself online, holding a rifle with the deer.
A headless Sambar deer was found by GMA officers in the same location as the photo was taken, showing the woman was hunting on private property without permission.
"She would have had to travel past a 'No through road' sign and a 'No shooting' sign," Mr Stevens said.
"A subsequent licence check revealed the woman did not hold a Victorian Game Licence - a minimum requirement for hunting or taking game in Victoria."
Further intelligence led GMA officers to a taxidermist, where they identified and seized the deer antlers.
The antlers were in the process of being mounted as a trophy.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The woman received a criminal conviction for hunting without a licence, was fined $750 and ordered to pay $521 in court-related costs.
Mr Stevens said illegal hunting was irresponsible and dangerous.
"People who chose to hunt in Victoria need to make sure that they hold a Game Licence, are familiar with the laws and are not hunting deer illegally," he said.
Hunters and the public are urged to report any illegal hunting to the GMA through its website www.gma.vic.gov.au, on 136 186, or by contacting Victoria Police.
