A Malvern man, 33, and a Cheltenham man, 31, allegedly fired two shotguns at a reserve on Ferntree Gully Road at about 10pm.

They are also alleged to have trespassed on private land owned by a farmer.

Both men had their firearms licence suspended.

Ararat Senior Constable Gjalt Erkelens said police were notified by a farmer about people with spotlights in his paddock.

“We attended the area found two men in a car with shotguns and large amount of ammunition,” he said.

“They will be looking at trespass, being on a private property without permission and possession of a firearm.”

Both men are yet to be charged for the offences.

Senior Constable Erkelens said people should be aware of hunting and firearm laws in state and national parks.

“Depending on what area it is, and it is a state park, hunting at any time is not permitted,” he said.

“There are some exemptions, and the problem we are having is people assume if it is a state park, they can go hunting there and they will.

“It is a no go all together – these people went to a park where they weren't allowed firearms.

“It is an ongoing issue, from people living in the area, there are a fair few people going there to hunt.”

Most national, state, wilderness, coastal and regional parks are closed to hunting at all times, except for a few exemptions which can by found at the Parks Victoria website.

Hunting is legal at state game reserves during the open season.

Senior Constable Erkelens said it was also important to get permission from farmer’s before hunting on their property.

“If a hunter assumes they have access to a farmer's property and they go onto it, they are committing an offence,” he said.

“They have to take the shortest route to the property’s residence and ask permission to enter with a firearm.”