So, you’re new to the game and wish to hunt, but you’re not entirely certain how to go about it. We’ve all been there. Perhaps you began by firing a few shots from a .22 on a friend’s farm or decided that hunting was a productive idea after seeing the price of meat at your local butcher or supermarket. Or you see rabbits in a paddock every time you drive past and it makes you contemplate the amount of damage they are doing.
Whatever reason brought you to the conclusion that you’d like to hunt, it’s important to start out in the right way and be ethical in the field.
Firearm and hunting laws vary greatly between states and territories. It’s paramount that you familiarise yourself with the laws in your specific location. Become acquainted with what constitutes safe storage and transportation of firearms and ammunition between your home and your hunting ground.
Some states allow public land hunting and you’ll need appropriate game permits. Other states do not, and you’ll require written permission from landowners to be able to hunt. Victoria calls for minimal calibres (bullet diameter) and/or projectile (bullet) weights to legally hunt deer. Queensland doesn’t. So, if you have permission to hunt, you can legally take deer with calibres such as the .223 or 6.5x55mm, whereas in Victoria this is illegal, depending upon the species which you are intending to hunt. Your state or territory Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA), Game Management Authority or Department of Primary Industries branch have advice on hunting rules and regulations which are specific to you.
This includes how to obtain a licence to hunt on public land (if applicable), which calibres you can legally use for hunting with a rifle and which gauges, shot sizes and weights are required for bird hunting, along with laws on transportation of firearms. The SSAA’s Comprehensive Guide to Shooting & Hunting in Australia is a great publication to find loads of information.
Only accurate rifles should be used when hunting and spending time at a shooting range works to increase your skills. If using a small calibre rimfire, consider buying boxes of various brands and shooting them at the same distance with no adjustment of your riflescope (scope) to see which produces the tightest grouping (collection of projectile hits on a target).
Once you’re pleased with a tight grouping produced by a particular brand, adjust your scope so that the shots are landing precisely where you’re aiming at 50m. Then ‘zero’ the scope to be hitting about 1½” high at 50m. This means you’ll need to do little if any holdover for shots out to roughly 75m or so. Why? Because the humble .22, as versatile as it is, runs out of steam at 75m.
Just because you may be able to hit something at that distance, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the projectile is capable of opening up and delivering the energy transfer required to despatch that game animal. This is why the .22 should be relegated to shorter ranges and small game animals only, in the class of rabbits, hares and possibly foxes. Larger, heavier animals or longer distances require the power of a higher performing centrefire cartridge.
The SSAA has over 400 ranges Australia-wide. While there, chat with experienced members about what they use for hunting various species. Gunshop staff can offer advice on this topic as well. Most of the responses you’ll be given should be pretty spot-on but reading SSAA publications will give a clear picture of which calibres work best for different game species.
Now we can talk about the nitty gritties. You have obtained your licences (see GAO 4) and permits, your ammunition and a suitable rifle. This has been sighted-in and you’re ready to head out hunting. Anything else you need? You betcha!
With the climatic extremes in this vast country of ours it’s always better to wear long pants, either for protection against cold and snow or as insurance against insects and scratches from vegetation.
Also, opt for wearing long shirt sleeves for the same reason, depending on terrain. In open spinifex fields chasing quail or hare, short sleeves are fine. But in the floodplains or jungle of the far north after buffaloes or sizeable pigs, wear long sleeves.
Well-fitting boots are important too. If you are covering different ground, something offering good ankle protection is as important as the sole grip. You can’t always predict loose gravel, ice, slippery mud or movable surfaces. A twisted ankle could put the rest of your hunting plans out of action for a while.
Try hiking style boots with a good grip and thick material which is weatherproof. Cold, wet feet are no fun, and you should try to negate the potential for snake, venomous spider bites or scorpion stings. Remember to never step on something you can step over. This can be referred to as situational awareness. Be aware of your surroundings. Take the time not just to look, but also to observe. Avoid simply wandering about. Look where your feet are and look ahead to where you’re going.
But hunting and, more importantly successful hunting, is much more than ensuring that you’re adequately dressed.
Since we are touching on safety in the bush, you will need a small first-aid kit as well as the ability to use its contents. A kit can be fairly basic but should certainly contain items such as absorbent adhesive bandages, antiseptic ointment, painkillers, cloth which can be used to sling or compress, any personal medications prescribed such as insulin, gauze and perhaps even a small booklet on how to administer first aid to others or to yourself.
You don’t need to be a trained emergency first responder to apply basic first aid to minor injuries, but it’s helpful to keep yourself or someone else comfortable long enough until more qualified help arrives.
Your mobile phone is also helpful for more than taking photographs. Maps, making an emergency call, having the ability to look up quick information on first aid, weather conditions and more is vital. Even if you don’t carry a radio or topographical maps, your phone is a crucial tool in your hunting backpack. Just turn it to silent to not startle any game. When heading out bush, seriously consider a GPS too, there are many available these days at a reasonable price.
A spare battery or portable charger won’t go astray either. The ability to make fire is paramount. For warmth, cooking or signalling, it’s highly important to carry a few different means to make it. Waterproof matches, a small cigarette lighter or Zippo and a tiny magnifying glass or mirror take up barely any space in your pack and weigh next to nothing yet could save your life.
Do ensure that the area surrounding where you intend to cook is clear of grass, dead leaves, shrubs and that type of thing. Hunting areas can be dry depending on location and season, so the last thing you want is to be starting bushfires through carelessness. And thoroughly extinguish fires once their purpose has been served and you’re moving on.
The next point is water. A minimum of 4L a day should be allocated for drinking purposes, especially if hunting in the north of the country in summer. You should have a 3L CamelBak (or similar) reservoir in the backpack so you can access water whenever you need when hunting without having to stop moving. Keep an extra water bottle in your pack and ensure there’s at least a full 20L jerry can of water back at the 4WD.
If you’re merely going for a day trip or even an afternoon in search of a few rabbits or ducks for the table, you can quite naturally scale back what you’re carrying to suit, especially if you aren’t wandering too far from your vehicle. But when planning to hunt over several days or even a week, the more water and supplies you keep in your vehicle, or your base camp, can make a big difference.
This includes shelter. Swags and tents are large and cumbersome to carry. During extended hunting trips try to set up your base camp with a tent or swag situated a safe distance away from any vehicle and cooking area. The season dictates the type of equipment to use as well.
Check the manufacturer or retailer websites for detailed product weight as well as temperature rating. You don’t want a +5C sleeping bag if it is going to be -8C in the southern Queensland Granite Belt with snow predicted.
A good knife or two as well as a multi-tool will come in handier than you could imagine. You can often incorporate fishing into hunting trips. So, a filleting knife for barramundi, bass or yellowbelly and a good caping and skinning knife for red deer and chital as well as the buffalo or magpie geese don’t go astray. Neither does a baitcaster or fly rod with a selection of lures and flies.
So, there you have it. A quick overview of how to kick off in hunting. The cartridge table below from the SSAA’s Comprehensive Guide to Shooting & Hunting in Australia will help with ethical hunting.
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What animals can you hunt in Australia?
In Australia, legal game species include feral pigs, goats, deer (fallow, red, sambar, and rusa), rabbits, hares and foxes. Some states also allow hunting game birds like ducks and quail with the proper permits. Native wildlife is strictly protected, so always check your state hunting regulations before harvesting game for food.
How many people hunt in Australia?
Australia has over 640,000 licensed firearm holders, with an estimated 200,000 active hunters participating in ethical hunting. Many hunt for wildlife conservation, population control and sustainable food. Hunting also generates millions in conservation funding through license fees and equipment taxes.
Why do people hunt in Australia?
Hunting plays a key role in controlling invasive species like feral pigs, deer and rabbits, which damage farmland and ecosystems. Many hunters choose it as a sustainable way to source free-range, organic meat. Others enjoy the outdoor adventure, self-sufficiency and connection to nature that hunting provides.
What groups can I join if I want to take up shooting?
New hunters and shooters can join the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA). The SSAA offer training courses, conservation programs and ethical hunting guidance. Many local shooting clubs also provide firearm safety training and range practice.
How do I get my firearms licence in Australia?
To get a firearm licence in Australia, you must complete a firearm safety course, pass a background check and provide a genuine reason (hunting, sport shooting or pest control). Applications go through your state’s police licensing division, with a 28-day waiting period for first-time applicants. Secure firearm storage is required before approval.
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