Three men from Mooroolbark are among seven people to be charged on summons following a police operation to detect deer hunters illegally spotlighting in the Mansfield and Jamieson areas.
Mansfield and Jamieson uniform officers, supported by staff from Game Management Authority (GMA) and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), led overnight patrols in a number of illegal spotlighting hotspots between Thursday 11 November and Saturday 13 November.
Mansfield Acting Senior Sergeant Geoff Hutchison said although the weather conditions made it a tough operation it was worth battling the challenging high country conditions.
“Illegal spotlighting is not only against the law, it is dangerous, unethical and reduces recreational hunting opportunities for law-abiding hunters,” he said.
“We will continue to collaborate with our partner agencies, share intelligence, and act on reports from the local community to crack down on illegal hunting practices, and protect the community.
“Hunters should be reminded that illegal hunting activity is likely to result in immediate suspension of firearms licences, seizure of firearms, and the facing of charges.”
A 27-year-old man, a 33-year-old man and a 58-year-old man all from Mooroolbark were apprehended by police and were allegedly committing numerous offences against the Firearms Act, including: prohibited person possess firearm; possess loaded firearm in public place; possession of spotlight and firearm in recognised deer habitat.
A number of other charges are likely to be laid in relation to offences against various Wildlife Game Regulations.
Police seized six firearms, seven spotlights and ammunition during the operation.
Six of the seven alleged offenders have had their firearms licences suspended while the seventh person was unlicenced.
