NSW Game Hunting Licence Code of Practice

In NSW, all licensed hunters must comply with the Code of Practice when carrying out any type of hunting activity. The code is a mandatory condition of all NSW game hunting licences to promote safe and ethical hunting practices.

Please read and become familiar with the Code of Practice as it will be assessed in the final exam.

1. Safe handling of firearms

Where firearms are used, hunters must follow all safe use and handling practices. Game hunting licence holders must comply with the Firearms Act 1996.

2. Permission required to hunt on land

A game hunting licence does not automatically authorise the holder of the licence to hunt on any land. Subject to the Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation 2022, the holder of a NSW game hunting licence must not hunt any land without the express authority of the occupier of the land.

3. Target identification and safety

The holder of a game hunting licence must not discharge a firearm or bow at a game animal if:

1. it cannot be clearly seen and identified, or
2. there is a discernible risk of injury to any person, or
3. there is a discernible risk of significant damage to any property.
4. Obligation to avoid pain and suffering

The holder of a game hunting licence must:

1. not inflict any unnecessary pain or suffering on a game animal being hunted, and
2. use a firearm and ammunition or bow and arrow that is likely to achieve a humane kill of the game animal being hunted, and
3. only shoot within the reasonably accepted killing range of the firearm and ammunition or bow and arrow being used, and
4. target the game animal being hunted so that a humane kill is likely
5. Lactating females with dependent young

If a holder of game hunting licence kills a lactating female game animal, the holder of the game hunting licence must make every reasonable effort to locate and humanely kill any dependent young.

6. Wounded animals

If a game animal is wounded by the holder of a game hunting licence, the holder of the game hunting licence must make every reasonable effort to locate any wounded game animals and kill them quickly and humanely.

7. Use of dogs

Subject to the Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation 2022, dogs and other animals may be used while hunting only if:

1. their use is not in contravention to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
2. their use is with the permission of the occupier of the land concerned.