HUNTING INFORMATION & EDUCATION
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ADVENTURE HUNTING

PLANNING YOUR OWN HUNT
- Plan your trip
- Tell someone your plans, and when you plan to return
- Be aware of the weather forecast, and always prepare for the worst
- Know your limits
- Take sufficient supplies
- A comfortable bag/pack – If you take an animal, load it carefully onto your shoulders and take your time
- A liner for your pack to keep your gear dry
- A map of the area, a compass and the ability to use them efficiently
- Mobile phones can have poor signal in most hunting locations, so a communication device and/or PLB (Personal Locating Beacon) is essential
- A basic survival kit
- A first aid kit including any personal medication required
- Bright coloured vest/clothing to ensure visibility to other hunters
- Plenty of food and water – it is safest to prepare for an extra day/night just in case
- Torch/head torch – even if you don’t plan to be out that late, a late shoot can often lead to walking back with it in the dark
- You and your group must be in good physical condition to ensure you can handle the firearm, manage the terrain, make smart and clear decisions and most importantly make it home again. Do you all feel capable? If you are unwell or injured or just tired, play it safe and wait for another time.
- Do you know how to safely cross rivers and difficult terrain? It is best to train and educate yourself mentally and physically to prepare for challenging situations until you feel comfortable. Chasing a target can lead to unpredictable terrain, it is safest to be as prepared as possible.
- Are you with a safe group?
- Make sure everyone in your group is medically and mentally up for the task – eyesight, hearing, fitness etc.
- They can safely and legally operate a firearm
- They are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- You all know what to do in an emergency
- You can all understand who is shooting and when

FIREARM SAFETY
- Don’t assume any firearm is unloaded even if you have been told so, always check for yourself.
- Keep you finger off the trigger, and always point the muzzle in a safe direction; open the action and inspect the chamber and magazine.
- When passing or accepting a firearm, ensure that the action is open, muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and unloaded.
- If you don’t know how to open a firearm, leave it alone.
- Whether a firearm is loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
- This will depend on your surroundings, bullets can go through ceilings and walls easily.
- Never point a firearm at yourself or others.
- Always stay focused around firearms.
- Never lean or rest firearms in positions where they can shift or fall to avoid unintentional firing or damage.
- Be particularly careful when removing firearms from storage and vehicles etc.
- The action is closed
- The safety catch is released
- Uncocking
- A firearm is loaded
- Your target must be identified beyond any doubt before firing. Do not shoot if in doubt. Both the shooter and any supervisors of an unlicensed shooter must be able to positively identify the target before shooting.
- Positively identify your target correctly using ALL of the characteristics of the animal:
- Do not fire at movement only
- Do not fire at colour only
- Do not fire at sound only
- Do not fire at shape only
- If your companions are ahead of you, never fire, especially if you have lost sight of them.
- Do not shoot if stock, human activity or buildings are in the area.
- It is not safe to shoot at a target on the skyline, both rural and urban developments are often close to hunting land.
- Shooting at night is dangerous, especially if using telescopic sights. Only shoot at night if you can be certain it is safe. Spotlights only light up a small part of the firing zone, leaving room for mistakes and accidents. It is forbidden to shoot during the hours of darkness in any state forest, forest park or national park.
- Take extra care when shooting a moving target, your field of view is limited and changes quickly. There is a greater chance of someone or something moving into your firing zone unexpectedly or without you noticing.
- Take care when shooting near thick bush as you may not be able to see your whole firing zone.
- Be aware that a shot from a shotgun has a wide spread area, especially at longer ranges.
- Be especially careful in rocky areas, ricochets can be caused by any flat or hard surfaces – rocks, snow, trees and even water.
- It must not be accessible by a child.
- Ammunition must either be stored separately or the firearm made incapable of firing.
- Remove the bolt and magazine from bolt-action firearms and lock away separately.
- Both the chamber and the magazine must be empty before storing a firearm.
- Dismantle break open type firearms.
- Lock your firearm away in a lockable cabinet, container etc.
- A firearm must never be left in an unattended vehicle.