General conditions

Make sure you read and understand these conditions before hunting. You must comply with these conditions at all times. Breaching any is an offence and a range of penalties apply. Some conditions mean that you need to check for forest closures, fire bans or burning. You should be familiar with the Forestry Corporation of NSW and the RFS websites. Please read and become familiar with these conditions as they will be assessed in the final exam.

1. Interference with forestry operations	You must not interfere with any forestry operations when you are hunting in the State forest.
2. Signs, notices and barriers	You must obey the directions of any sign, notice or barrier encountered when hunting in the State forest. Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) reserves the right to close roads or areas within the hunting area at any time, without notice. Signs must not be removed or defaced in any way.
3. Rights of other users	You must not obstruct the right of any other forest user.
4. Written permission details	You may only hunt in accordance with the information you provided during your written permission application including details of vehicles and dogs. If the details listed on your written permission change before your hunt, you must amend your written permission with the new information and download an updated version.
5. Intention to hunt	You must not book a written permission unless you intend to hunt on the dates you have selected for the permission. If you are unable to hunt on those dates, you must amend or cancel your written permission.
6. Forest closures	You must not hunt in the State forest during a forest closure. It’s your responsibility to know whether there is a forest closure in force before you hunt. This information is available on the FCNSW website.
7. Fires	Total fire bans: You must not hunt in the State forest during a total fire ban in that region. It’s your responsibility to know whether there is a Total Fire Ban in force before you hunt. This information is available on the Rural Fire Service website. Solid fuel fire bans: You must not use a solid fuel fire if a solid fuel fire ban is in force for that State forest. It’s your responsibility to know whether there is a ban in place. This information is available on the FCNSW website. Hazard reduction burns: You must not hunt in an area of State forest if a hazard reduction burn is taking place. It’s your responsibility to know whether there is a hazard reduction burn in the area you intend to hunt. This information is available on the Rural Fire Service website.
8. Possession of firearms and hunting equipment in State forests	You are allowed to be in possession of hunting equipment in the State forest that your written permission is issued for, from one whole day before to one whole day after the valid period of your permission. Your hunting equipment must be stored and not readily accessible. Your written permission allows you to hunt using specific methods. Your hunting equipment must match the categories approved on your R-Licence as well as the hunting methods approved on your written permission. To hunt with a firearm in a State forest, you must hold a current firearms licence issued by your state agency that is endorsed for the category of firearm you are using. Your R-Licence must be endorsed for the ‘firearms’ category. You must not possess any type of hunting equipment in a State forest unless you have a valid written permission to hunt using that equipment. Any person who does not hold a valid written permission must not take possession of your firearms, bows or hunting equipment whilst you are in the State forest.
9. Transportation and storage of firearms in State forests	When not actively hunting and not in your immediate possession, all firearms must be stored in accordance with the following provisions: firearms must be locked away (either in a locked vehicle or other locked storage device) and not readily accessible all reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure that firearms cannot be lost or stolen firearms must not be accessible to any person who does not hold: a valid firearms licence or permit does not have written permission to hunt using firearms in the State forest. When transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle or motorbike: firearms and magazines must not be loaded with any ammunition firearms must not be visible from outside the vehicle all ammunition must be stored in a locked receptacle, separate to the firearm.
10. Transportation and storage of bows and other hunting equipment in State forests	When not actively hunting and not in your immediate possession, all bows and hunting equipment: must be locked away (either in a locked vehicle or other locked storage device) and not readily accessible must not be accessible to any person who does not have written permission to hunt using that equipment in the State forest.
11. Hunting areas and exclusion zones	You may only hunt on land that is identified as a hunting area on your DPI hunting map. These maps may also specify the methods allowed in specific hunting areas of the State forest. You must not hunt in areas marked as exclusion zones. General hunting exclusion zones: General hunting exclusion zones are marked on your written permission and DPI hunting map as areas where hunting is not permitted. You are allowed to travel through a general hunting exclusion zone if you hold a written permission. Before doing so, all firearms must be unloaded and ammunition stored separately from the firearm, arrows must be placed in an appropriate container and all hunting dogs must be restrained or confined. Total public exclusion zones: Total public exclusion zones are marked on your written permission and DPI hunting map as areas where hunting is not permitted. FCNSW also places signs at each road entrance into a total public exclusion zone. You must not enter or travel through a total public exclusion zone at any time. Temporary hunting exclusion zones and other sign-posted area: Temporary hunting exclusion zones may not be identified on your written permission or DPI hunting map. They will be identified by FCNSW signage. You must always obey all temporary exclusion zone signs and all FCNSW operational signage. You are allowed to travel through a temporary hunting exclusion zone or other sign-posted area. Before doing so, all firearms must be unloaded and ammunition stored separately from the firearm, arrows must be placed in an appropriate container and all hunting dogs must be restrained or confined. Infrastructure and asset exclusions: Infrastructure and asset exclusions may not be identified on your written permission or DPI hunting map. You must not hunt within 100 metres of any: occupied residence dwelling fire tower building radio tower transmission tower quarry pump house. located in the State forest or located on land neighbouring the State forest.
12. Day-time hunting	You may only hunt using a firearm or bow during day-time, being from 30 minutes before sunrise through to 30 minutes after sunset. You may hunt with a dog during day-time only if ‘dogs (day-time)’ is specified as an available hunting method on your written permission.
13. Night-time hunting (dogs only)	You may hunt with a dog during night-time only if ‘dogs (night-time)’ is specified as an available hunting method on your written permission. When hunting with dogs at night, you must attach a form of illumination to each free-ranging hunting dog. You must not use any spotlight or searchlight from a vehicle when hunting at night. Firearms and bows are not permitted to be used when hunting with dogs at night and must be locked away and not readily accessible.
14. Mandatory use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) device	You must carry an operational Global Positioning System (GPS) device at all times while hunting in the State forest. Minor hunters under 18 years of age must hunt in the company of an adult licence holder who must carry a GPS. Your GPS device must be loaded with current maps that show the hunting and exclusion zones for the area you are hunting, downloaded from the DPI website. You must be able to show your current position on the device at all times while hunting.
15. Blaze orange clothing	You must wear an item of blaze orange at all times while hunting in the State forest. The item must be worn externally on the upper part of your body and must be visible from all sides. The blaze orange item can be a: hat beanie shirt jumper jacket vest buff/ neck warmer.
16. Hunting from vehicles	You must not hunt with a firearm or bow from a vehicle in the State forest. If you are hunting with dogs from a motor vehicle or motorbike in the State forest, you must tether or cage the dogs while the vehicle is moving.
17. Use of vehicles	Unregistered vehicles must not enter or be used for hunting in a State forest at any time. Unless otherwise sign-posted, a 60 km/h speed limit applies on any sealed or unsealed road in a State forest.
18. Sighting in and target practice	You must not sight-in or target practice with firearms or archery equipment in the State forest. This includes shooting at clay targets, trees, signs or other objects.
19. Tree stands	You must not use a tree stand for hunting in a State forest.
20. Use of bait to hunt	You must not lay any bait, grain, fruit, food product, mineral block, meat or other attractant in the State forest.
21. Use of drones	You are permitted to use drones to assist in hunting in the State forest. All drones must operate in accordance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) licensing and regulations. Drones cannot be used within 200 metres of a harvesting operation or interfere with any other forestry management operations. You must not fly within 5 nautical miles of any fire or other emergency service operation. You must not disturb or harass any other hunter, State forest user or forest neighbour when using a drone in the State forest.
22. 1080 wild dog and fox poison	1080 wild dog and fox poison baits may be present in the State forest at any time. Hunters must not interfere with any 1080 baits or equipment whilst hunting in the State forest. Hunting with dogs is permitted in the State forest at the hunter’s own risk.
23. Livestock on public land	Livestock may be present in declared hunting areas and must not be harassed, harmed or unnecessarily disturbed.
24. Rubbish and toilet waste	All rubbish must be kept in a container or bag when hunting in a State forest and must be taken with you when leaving the State forest. Toilet waste and toilet paper must be buried to a depth of at least 15 centimetres.
25. Mandatory harvest return	You must submit a harvest return for each written permission you are issued within 30 days of the expiry of the permission. Harvest returns can be lodged using online licence holder services or via the Hunt NSW app. Failure to submit a harvest return may lead to suspension from the written permission booking system or further penalties. You must not provide false information on your harvest return.

Course Outline