NSW code of practice for hunting

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.

Penalties apply for breaches of the code.

1. Awareness of relevant legislation: It is the responsibility of a NSW game hunting licence holder to be aware of and comply with all relevant legislation relating to hunting, animal welfare and the use of firearms.
2. Safe handling of firearms: If you are using firearms, you must comply with the rules for safe handling set out in the NSW Firearms Safety Awareness Handbook at all times.
3. Permission required to enter land: Your licence does not automatically authorise you to hunt on any land. You must not hunt on any land unless you hold the express authority (permission) of the landowner.
4. Target identification and safety: You must not fire at a game or pest animal unless it can be clearly seen and identified. The shot taken must not pose any discernible risk of injury to any person or damage to any property.

5. Obligation to avoid suffering: An animal being hunted must not be inflicted with unnecessary pain. To achieve a humane death, you must:
   • target the animal so that a humane kill is likely
   • shoot within the reasonably accepted killing range of the firearm, ammunition or bow
   • always use hunting equipment (firearm and ammunition, bow and arrow) that can be reasonably expected to humanely kill the animal you are targeting.
6. Lactating female with dependent young: If you harvest a lactating female, every reasonable effort must be made to locate and kill any dependent young.
7. Wounded animals: If an animal is wounded, you must take all reasonable steps to locate it so that it can be killed quickly and humanely.
8. Use of dogs: Dogs and other animals may be used to assist hunters, but only if:
   • their use is not in contravention with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and,
   • their use is with the permission of the occupier of the land concerned.