Police have slammed the actions of shooters in and around the Grampians following a "disturbing" incident last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police have received reports of illegal deer hunters shooting in prohibited areas both near, and within, the Grampians National Park.
Halls Gap Leading Senior Constable Kellie Harris said it was just last week she was called to a "distressing" scene.
"I attended a job on a private property on Wednesday, on a farm paddock just at Mafeking, with reports of a headless deer," she said.
"When I attended the scene I located a rather large red buck with its head and neck removed."
Leading Senior Constable Kellie Harris said "trophy hunting" was a growing issue in the region.
"It is becoming a problem. We have more trophy hunters, like in this instance, who are hunting only for sport and something to hang on a wall," she said.
"We are getting a couple of deer turn up with heads removed. The fact they are shooting in the national park or on private property is where the concern is."
Deer hunting is not permitted in the Grampians National Park nor on private property of individuals.
A Game Management Authority spokesperson said hunters should "hunt responsibly and ethically".
"While hunters are not required to recover the deer, good hunting practice is to harvest as much meat as possible and ensure that deer carcasses are not left near waterways or in public view, near walking trails or roads," the spokesperson said.
Leading Senior Constable Harris said police would continue to work closely with Game Management Authority to prevent future issues.
"We will look into how we can try and solve the problem," she said.
"Part of it is redirecting hunters to shoot where they are supposed to and to do so safely and correctly."
Both police and the Game Management Authority can impose penalties on hunters who break the law.
"We can charge people under the Wildlife Act if need be," Leading Senior Constable Harris said.
Hunters in breach of laws can be fined, prosecuted, have equipment confiscated and lost their game and firearms licence by the Game Management Authority.
Illegal hunting can be reported to either Game Management Authority or police.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from the Stawell Times-News. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Northern Grampians shire, sign up here.
