Using your dog when hunting on public land

The Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 and its Regulation (2022) regulates the use of hunting dogs. All dogs used for hunting must be listed on your written permission.

All hunters must comply by the following licence conditions.

Gundog rules

When hunting game birds using dogs, hunters must:

• only use the dog to locate, flush point or retrieve the bird

When hunting deer using dogs, hunters must:

• only use the dog(s) for locating, pointing or flushing deer
• not use more than one dog if hunting alone
• not use more than two dogs if hunting as part of a group
• ensure the dog(s) do not chase, harm or harass the deer.

Pig dog rules

When hunting pigs using dogs on public land, you must:

• only use the dog(s) for locating, holding and bailing pigs
• ensure that the dog does not chase any other species of animal
• not use more than three dogs when hunting alone
• not use more than five dogs when hunting as part of a group
• not leave or abandon the dog on public land.