The launch was held at the Oberon Common with Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, DPI Game Licensing compliance staff, NSW police, mayor John McMahon, Oberon councillors and members of the community opposing hunting in State Forests in attendance.

DPI Game Licensing Unit acting director Dr Andrew Moriarty said with the reopening of around 200 State Forests for hunting earlier this year, DPI has renewed its focus on compliance and community awareness.

Dr Andrew Moriarty said NSW now maintains the strictest conditions and regulations of anywhere in the country and enforcement officers, in conjunction with NSW Police, will be out in force to ensure compliance.

“The Easter long weekend is traditionally the busiest hunting weekend of the year, and we want all forest users to be aware of the recent changes to recreational hunting in State Forests,” Dr Moriarty said.

“As part of the new requirements, all hunters must pass two new education modules on outdoor navigation and the rules around accessing State Forests for hunting, and they must ensure that they carry a working GPS device with detailed mapping data installed at all times when hunting in State Forests.”

This weekend’s operation will incorporate compliance patrols in State Forests and covert surveillance will also be used in addition to responding to any reports of illegal activity.

Dr Moriarty said the Community Awareness Program delivers information to the public and other forest users about regulated hunting in State Forests.

“We’ve developed a specially tailored pack that informs people about hunting, and addresses concerns about how hunters and other users of the forests can safely co-exist,” Dr Moriarty said.

The pack includes a range of signage for neighbouring property owners and forest users, as well as information about hunting and how to report any concerns or illegal activity.

Dr Moriatry said any suspicions on illegal hunting should be directed to the NSW Police Force or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. Concerned  community members are encouraged to note time and day, location and vehicle registration. At no time should any illegal hunters be approached directly.

Max Sward, an advocate against shooting in State Forests, said his complaints over the past two years have fallen on deaf ears.

“I have complained about shooters’ total disregard for public safety,” he said.

Mr Sward said there has been a number of incidents in the area that have put families and stock at risk.

Dr Moriarty said the department takes the issue of safety very seriously, and the forests were only recently re-opened following an extensive safety and risk review.

Mayor John McMahon expressed his disappointed that local councils were not consulted by the safety review panel.

Cr McMahon said locals know the area but strangers have no idea where the boundaries are.

“Hunters with licenses have the right but have no idea. We will be keeping an eye on shooters.  Locals are not the problem, outsiders are the problem,” he said.

“I think this is a proactive approach towards preventing illegal hunting. Licenced hunting using firearms is only permitted during daylight hours and hunters are required to wear an item of high visibility orange clothing when hunting in a NSW State Forest.”