Remaking the Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation

Help the NSW Government make regulated hunting safer so it benefits the community, hunters and the natural environment.

In NSW, some types of hunting are regulated under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 and its Regulation 2012. Under this legislation, the NSW Government manages:

  • Licensing of public land hunters and some private land hunters.
  • Hunter education and training.
  • Compliance and enforcement.

The Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation (GFAC) 2012 is scheduled to be remade by 1 September 2022. We seek public feedback in relation to the regulation amendments that aim to:

  • Protect agricultural productivity and reduce the negative environmental impacts of deer and native game birds by making the current regulation suspension permanent.
  • Improve public safety by ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place and by strengthening game licensing requirements.
  • Reduce administration and the burden on the court system by allowing more offences and breaches of licence conditions to be dealt with via penalty infringement notices (PINs).
  • Reduce red tape, streamline processes, and repeal redundant and clarify confusing sections of the GFAC Regulation.

Thank you for your feedback

This consultation is now closed. Thank you for participating. We are currently reviewing your feedback.

Help the NSW Government make regulated hunting safer so it benefits the community, hunters and the natural environment.

In NSW, some types of hunting are regulated under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 and its Regulation 2012. Under this legislation, the NSW Government manages:

  • Licensing of public land hunters and some private land hunters.
  • Hunter education and training.
  • Compliance and enforcement.

The Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation (GFAC) 2012 is scheduled to be remade by 1 September 2022. We seek public feedback in relation to the regulation amendments that aim to:

  • Protect agricultural productivity and reduce the negative environmental impacts of deer and native game birds by making the current regulation suspension permanent.
  • Improve public safety by ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place and by strengthening game licensing requirements.
  • Reduce administration and the burden on the court system by allowing more offences and breaches of licence conditions to be dealt with via penalty infringement notices (PINs).
  • Reduce red tape, streamline processes, and repeal redundant and clarify confusing sections of the GFAC Regulation.

Thank you for your feedback

This consultation is now closed. Thank you for participating. We are currently reviewing your feedback.

CLOSED: Thank you for your input.

If you have a question about any of the proposed amendments in the Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation 2022, please submit this below.

We will respond to your question within 3 working days. We may publish the question and answer for other users as needed.

For general information on regulated hunting in NSW, please visit the DPI Hunting website.

  • I think tree stands should be allowed, why aren't they ?

    Yatsie asked 12 months ago

    Hi Yatsie, as the land manager, Forestry Corporation of NSW have deemed the use of tree stands unsafe for use in State forests through its risk assessment process. Please contact info@fcnsw.com.au for more information

    Regards

    DPI Hunting

  • With all the rain and strong winds are u going to clean up trails in state forests?why not give us access via recreational registration quad bikes etc ?

    Yatsie asked 12 months ago

    Hi Yatsie, Forestry Corporation maintains an extensive network of roads and fire trails throughout its forests. Please send track maintenance requests to info@fcnsw.com.au.

    As the land manager, Forestry sets rules for its road network, which allows vehicle access for timber harvesting and protecting forests from bush fires. 

    The Forestry website states: all terrain vehicles (ATV), buggies, pit bikes or quad bikes are not permitted in State forests. Conditional registration of ATV or quad bikes does not apply to State forests and does not permit their use in State forests.

    forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/activities/four-wheel-driving-and-trail-bike-riding 

    Regards

    DPI Hunting

  • We should get access to public land signs to put up at entrances so public are aware there's hunting available in there?

    Yatsie asked 12 months ago

    Hi Yatsie, as the land manager, Forestry Corporation is responsible for authorised signage at State forest entrances. Most declared and open for hunting State forests already have signs indicating authorised hunting is permitted. 

    If there are specific forests that you know of that do not have any signage installed, please email us at hunting.publicland@dpi.nw.gov.au 

    Regards

    DPI Hunting