Camping safety

Most public lands open to hunting have designated camping grounds. These areas have been selected to minimise human interference on the local environment. If camping grounds are not available, you might have to find a suitable spot to pitch your tent or roll out your swag.

These tips will help you select the right camping spot:

• always use a designated campsite rather than creating a new one
• if you are using a camping ground, be considerate of other hunters and campers
• only camp on hard ground or sandy soils; avoid damaging soft soils or vegetation
• camp at least 20 metres away from any waterway
• be aware of flash flooding, and always camp on high ground
• avoid tying anchor ropes to trees, as this can damage their bark
• park your vehicle as close as possible to formed tracks and roads to minimise damage to the forest floor
• never camp under trees that have loose, dead or overhanging branches
• securely store all your hunting equipment when not using it
• take all rubbish away with you, even if it’s not yours
• do not contaminate waterways by disposing of detergents, soaps and toothpaste
• human waste should be buried at least 15 centimetres deep and at least 50 metres away from the camp and waterways
• try to use a fuel stove for cooking; check for solid fuel fire bans and if building a fire, keep it small and ensure you do so in a cleared area where the embers cannot start a bushfire
• only use dead, fallen wood for campfires; do not cut down any standing trees or vegetation, even if they are dead; animals rely on these for shelter
• do not use your fire to burn rubbish; plastics release toxic gases when burned
• do not feed any wildlife that may come near your camp; human food can be harmful and cause them to become dependent on an easy food source.