Why do we have hunting laws?

Hunting laws are essential in ensuring public safety and to regulate the activities of hunters on both private and public lands. Legal and licensed hunters understand that hunting is a privilege that can be taken away if a hunter does not adhere to the law.

The following reasons support the needs of hunting laws in NSW:

1. Protect the community from harm: Public safety and protecting the community are the main reasons for hunting laws. Licensing and education standards aim to minimise hunting-related incidents, make hunting a safe and enjoyable activity and meet community expectations. Illegal hunting and trespassing negatively impact rural communities and enforcement agencies. Hunting laws provide the means for legal hunters to distinguish themselves from those determined to do the wrong thing and have a deterrent effect on illegal hunting.
2. Protect landholders from rural crime: Trespassing on rural properties can have multiple impacts on landholders including intimidation, stock disturbance and damage to fences and farm infrastructure. Hunting illegally can also lead to other rural crimes such as stock and machinery thefts. Hunting and trespassing laws are crucial in protecting landholders and delegate powers that enable the GLU, NSW Police Force and other agencies to detect and deter illegal hunting activity.
3. Protect wildlife and the environment: Animal welfare, ethical hunting techniques and regulating the harvest of some species ensure that animals are hunted ethically and humanely. A hunter’s actions and treatment of wildlife and the environment have a direct impact on the way society perceives hunting. The humane treatment of hunted species is legislated in several Acts, most importantly the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002.
   All native animals are protected by law, and only specific overabundant species, or those damaging agricultural crops, can be sustainably harvested under special permits or strict regulations.
4. Regulate hunting on public land: Public land is there for the whole community to enjoy. Hunting legislation, regulation and conditions ensure the safety of hunters, forestry employees and other public land users. Without these rules, safety may be compromised, and some unregulated activities may result in a serious incident.
5. Maintain standards: Hunting laws are in place to benchmark high standards of ethical and safe practices to protect hunters and the community. To protect the integrity of the NSW regulated hunting system, it is important to distinguish between licensed, responsible hunters and illegal hunters who do the wrong thing. Mandatory hunter education, such as this course, promotes the right behaviours and attitudes that set apart licensed hunters.